# A scientist is growing human skin tissue in a laboratory to help treat patients with severe burns. The scientist uses embryonic stem cells rather than adult stem cells as the starting material. Explain why embryonic stem cells are a better choice than adult stem cells for this purpose, and describe what must happen to the stem cells before they can form skin tissue.

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

> Severe burns can destroy large areas of skin. Scientists can grow replacement skin tissue in a laboratory using stem cells.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any cell type (are unspecialised / are totipotent / can become any type of cell)
2. Adult stem cells can only differentiate into a limited range of cell types, so they may not be able to form skin cells
3. The stem cells must undergo cell differentiation to become specialised skin cells
4. The stem cells must divide by mitosis to increase the number of cells / produce enough cells to form the tissue

## Key terms

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

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-scientist-is-growing-human-skin-a6d3d87d) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.