# A patient has been diagnosed with a blood disorder caused by faulty red blood cells. Doctors suggest using adult stem cells from bone marrow to treat the condition. Explain why adult stem cells from bone marrow could be used to treat this disorder, and suggest one limitation of using adult stem cells compared with embryonic stem cells for treating diseases.

> Edexcel GCSE Biology (1BI0) — 2.2 Cell differentiation, growth and stem cells · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Adult stem cells can differentiate / become specialised into different types of blood cell (including red blood cells)
2. The stem cells divide by mitosis to produce large numbers of new, healthy blood cells
3. Adult stem cells can only differentiate into a limited range of cell types (accept: they are not as versatile as embryonic stem cells)
4. Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any cell type, so they could treat a wider range of disorders / conditions than adult stem cells

## Key terms

- [adult stem cells](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/adult-stem-cells)
- [embryonic stem cells](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/embryonic-stem-cells)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Edexcel GCSE Biology (1BI0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-patient-has-been-diagnosed-with-acdbf836) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.