Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Regeneration Genes 
Name: Nnamdi
Status: Other
Grade:  12+
Location: London
Country: United Kingdom
Date: September 2008
Question:
What is it in a sea-star (or starfish for those who don't know the difference) that allows them to regrow an arm and the central disc isn't what I'm looking for what is it in there genes or cells that allow them to do this?


Replies:
Presumably there are omnipotent stem cells in various parts of the sea star which can divide and differentiate into the various cell types necessary to regenerate a whole organism.

Ron Baker, Ph.D.


Click here to return to the Molecular Biology Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory