# Explain why a cell from a multicellular organism, such as a muscle cell, contains the same genetic information as a liver cell from the same organism, yet the two cell types look and function very differently.

> Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (9BI0) — Topic 2 Cells, Viruses and Reproduction · Explain · 5 marks

> During development, a fertilised egg divides repeatedly by mitosis to produce all the specialised cells in the body. Muscle cells are adapted to contract, while liver cells carry out chemical reactions such as breaking down toxins.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Both cell types originate from the same fertilised egg / the same original cell by mitosis
2. Mitosis copies DNA exactly, so every body cell contains identical genetic information / the same genes
3. Cells become specialised / differentiated during development
4. Only certain genes are switched on / expressed in each cell type
5. Different proteins are therefore produced in each cell type, giving them different structures and functions

## Key terms

- [genetic information](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/genetic-information)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel A-Level Biology A (9BI0)](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/explain-why-a-cell-from-a-17d5fff9) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.