B1: Stem Cells

Question 1

characteristics embryonic stem cells

Answer 1

• are pluripotent meaning it can differentiate into any other specialised cell type
• The best source is the five-day-old embryo.

Question 2

characteristics of adult stem cells

where are they found/ -potent

Answer 2

• are multipotent
• tissue-specific so can only differentiate into specific specialised cells
• (only found in specific places such as bone marrow

Question 3

meristem cells

Answer 3

differentiate to produce all types of plant cells at any time during the life of the plant.

Question 4

how can embryonic stem cells be used? (3)

Answer 4

• replace faulty blood cells
• make insulin-producing cells for diabetics
• make nerve cells for paralyzed people

Question 5

how can adult stem cells be used? ( diseases )

Answer 5

-blood cell cancer such as leukaemia and lymphoma

Question 6

how can meristems be used? (3)

Answer 6

• Rare species can be cloned to protect from
  extinction.
• plants with disease resistance can be cloned
• large numbers of identical plants for farmers.

Question 7

advantages of using embryonic stem cells (3)

Answer 7

• can create many embryos in a lab
• painless technique
• can treat many diseases

Question 8

disadvantages of using embryonic stem cells (3)

Answer 8

• harm/death to embryo
• embryo cannot consent
• unreliable technique/might not work

Question 9

advantages of using adult stem cells (3)

Answer 9

• no ethical issues/patient can give permission
• tried and tested/reliable technique
• patients recover quickly from procedure

Question 10

disadvantages of using adult stem cells (4)

Answer 10

• can be painful
• can only treat a few diseases
• risk of infection
• disease transmission