A scientist is researching treatments for a blood disorder that destroys red blood cells. The scientist suggests using embryonic stem cells rather than adult stem cells taken from bone marrow. Explain why embryonic stem cells may be more useful than adult stem cells for treating this disorder.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Some blood disorders prevent the body from producing functional red blood cells. Stem cell therapies are being investigated as potential treatments.
Model answer (5 marks)
Embryonic stem cells are undifferentiated and can become any cell type (totipotent/pluripotent). Adult bone‑marrow stem cells are only multipotent, giving rise to a limited range of blood cells. Because embryonic stem cells can be directed to differentiate into red blood cells, they provide a higher chance of producing functional erythrocytes than adult stem cells, which cannot generate the required cell type. Thus embryonic stem cells are more useful for treating the disorder.
Examiner tips
- Use the terms ‘undifferentiated’ and ‘totipotent/pluripotent’ for embryonic cells; mention ‘multipotent’ for adult cells.
- Explain the practical advantage – ability to produce the needed red blood cells.”]
- common_mistakes
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Mark scheme (5 marks)
- Embryonic stem cells are unspecialised / undifferentiated
- Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any cell type (are totipotent/pluripotent)
- Adult stem cells (from bone marrow) can only differentiate into a limited range of cell types
- Embryonic stem cells could undergo cell differentiation to produce red blood cells / the specific cell type needed
- This makes embryonic stem cells more useful because they offer greater flexibility / a higher chance of producing the correct functional cell type compared to adult stem cells
Key terms in this question
embryonic stem cells · adult stem cells
Related
- All Edexcel A-Level Biology A: Salters-Nuffield (9BN0) revision notes →
- How to answer a "Explain" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
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