Explain why embryonic stem cells are considered more useful than adult stem cells for treating a wider range of medical conditions.
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Scientists are researching the use of stem cells to treat diseases in which certain specialised cell types have been damaged or destroyed.
Model answer (4 marks)
Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent – they can differentiate into any cell type in the body. Adult stem cells are only multipotent, giving rise to a limited range of specialised cells. Because embryonic stem cells can become any cell, they can be used to replace or repair many different damaged tissues, whereas adult stem cells can only replace the few cell types they are already specialised for. Cell differentiation is the process by which an undifferentiated cell becomes specialised for a particular function, and embryonic stem cells retain the full ability to undergo this process into any cell type.
Examiner tips
- Use the terms pluripotent and multipotent; explain the difference in differentiation potential.
- Show the logical link: wider differentiation ability → wider therapeutic use.
- Mention that embryonic cells can become any cell type, adult cells only a few.
Common mistakes
- Confusing pluripotent with totipotent; totipotent cells can become an entire organism, not just any cell type.
- Saying adult stem cells are ‘unspecialised’ – they are specialised but limited.
- Failing to explain that the wider range of differentiation means a wider range of medical applications.
Mark scheme (4 marks)
- Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any cell type (are pluripotent / unspecialised)
- Adult stem cells can only differentiate into a limited range of cell types
- Therefore embryonic stem cells could be used to replace / repair a greater variety of damaged or specialised cells
- Cell differentiation is the process by which an undifferentiated cell becomes specialised for its function, and embryonic stem cells retain the full ability to undergo this process into any cell type
Key terms in this question
embryonic stem cells · adult stem cells
Related
- Revision notes: Cell differentiation, growth and stem cells →
- How to answer a "Explain" question →
- Decode the mark scheme abbreviations →
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