stem cells - PAPER 2

Question 1

cells are specialised, which means…

Answer 1

they have a function eg white blood cells create the immune response
they have specific adaptations to help them to achieve their functions, eg lack of a nucleus for red blood cells

Question 2

embryonic stem cells are special because…

Answer 2

they can become ANY type of cell

Question 3

adult stem cells are in places e.g.

Answer 3

bone marrow (white blood cells)
in plants - roots and shoots

Question 4

science is attempting to use stem cells in medicine. list some examples of where…

Answer 4

• for nerve cells in people who are paralysed
• to create insulin in the cells for diabetics
• replace cells that do not function correctly
  eg blood cells

Question 5

what is a stem cell?

Answer 5

an undifferentiated cell

Question 6

what is the change from a stem cell to a cell with a function called

Answer 6

differentiation

Question 7

what are the moral problems of stem cells?

Answer 7

• they come from human embryos, so some people think they are POTENTIAL HUMAN LIFE
  —> others disagree, as they would argue that these embryos are often waste from fertility clinics/ or that living people should be prioritised

Question 8

what are the practical problems of stem cells?

Answer 8

viruses can be passed on through the cells, if they are contaminated in the lab

Question 9

how can stem cells be grown or found?

Answer 9

• from embryos (embryonic)
• in adults (adult stem cell sites eg bone marrow)
• can be then cloned in a lab

Question 10

what is an example of a specialised cell

Answer 10

red blood cell/ nerve cell/ sperm cell/ white blood cell etc.