How Adult Sea Stars Use Special Stem Cells to Regrow Missing Body Parts - Explained for 8-Year-Olds

What Are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are special kinds of cells in animals that can divide and change into different types of cells. Think of them like magical building blocks that can become anything the body needs!

Sea Stars and Their Amazing Power

Adult sea stars (sometimes called starfish) have these special stem cells in their bodies. If a sea star loses a limb or part of its body, these stem cells help it grow back the missing parts.

How Do Sea Stars Grow New Limbs?

• Signals from the Body: The sea star's body sends special signals that tell the stem cells what to do.
• Stem Cells Divide: The stem cells multiply to make lots of new cells.
• Change Into Needed Cells: These new cells become muscles, skin, and other parts needed to make a new limb or body section.

Scientists Are Still Trying to Understand

Even though we know sea stars can regrow limbs using stem cells and signals from their bodies, scientists are still learning exactly how these signals work. This is an exciting area of research to help us understand how animals can heal and maybe even help humans in the future!