A patient has been badly burned and large areas of their skin have been destroyed. Doctors are considering using stem cells to grow replacement skin tissue for the patient. Describe how stem cells are able to produce the specialised skin cells needed for this treatment.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Model answer (4 marks)
Stem cells are unspecialised cells that can divide by mitosis to produce new cells. The new cells then differentiate into specialised skin cells. Differentiation involves genes being switched on or off so that only certain proteins are produced, giving the cell its specific structure and function.
Examiner tips
- Use the exact terms "unspecialised", "mitosis", "differentiate", "genes switched on/off"
- Show the sequence: unspecialised → division → differentiation → specialised skin cell
- Keep the answer concise and to the point
Common mistakes
- Confusing stem cells with mature skin cells
- Omitting the role of gene regulation in differentiation
- Using vague phrases like "grow" instead of "differentiate"
Mark scheme (4 marks)
- Stem cells are unspecialised / undifferentiated cells
- Stem cells can divide (by mitosis / cell division) to produce new cells
- The new cells then differentiate / become specialised
- Differentiation involves genes being switched on or off so that only certain proteins are produced, giving the cell its specific structure and function (skin cell)
Key terms in this question
Related
- All Eduqas GCSE Biology revision notes →
- How to answer a "Describe" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
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