# 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.

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

> Some blood disorders prevent the body from producing functional red blood cells. Stem cell therapies are being investigated as potential treatments.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Embryonic stem cells are unspecialised / undifferentiated
2. Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any cell type (are totipotent/pluripotent)
3. Adult stem cells (from bone marrow) can only differentiate into a limited range of cell types
4. Embryonic stem cells could undergo cell differentiation to produce red blood cells / the specific cell type needed
5. 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

- [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 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-scientist-is-researching-treatments-for-d61806af) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.