# A patient with a degenerative joint condition is told that doctors could use stem cells from bone marrow to help repair the damaged tissue. Explain why bone marrow stem cells can be used in this way, and describe ONE limitation of using this type of stem cell compared to embryonic stem cells.

> Edexcel A-Level Biology A: Salters-Nuffield (9BN0) — 2.1 Stem cells and cell potency · Explain · 5 marks

> Researchers are investigating the use of stem cells to treat a range of diseases. Bone marrow transplants have been used for decades, but scientists continue to debate the relative merits of different stem cell sources.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Bone marrow stem cells are adult stem cells
2. Adult stem cells can undergo cell differentiation to become specialised cell types
3. Adult stem cells can differentiate into a limited range of cell types (e.g. blood cells or bone cells)
4. Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any cell type (are less restricted / more potent)
5. This is a limitation because adult stem cells may not be able to differentiate into the specific cell type needed to repair the damaged tissue / they have a limited range compared to embryonic stem cells

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for Edexcel A-Level Biology A: Salters-Nuffield (9BN0)](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)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-patient-with-a-degenerative-joint-773d183a) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.