AQA · GCSE · Biology

    Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018

    Stem cells from meristems in plants can be used to produce clones of…

    Full specification wording

    Stem cells: Stem cells from meristems in plants can be used to produce clones of plants quickly and economically.

    Meristems are regions of a plant where unspecialised cells divide rapidly, for example at the tips of roots and shoots.

    Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 10 of 11
    • 3 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    Meristems are regions of a plant where unspecialised cells divide rapidly, for example at the tips of roots and shoots. These cells are plant stem cells. Because they can divide and differentiate into any plant cell type, a small piece of meristem tissue can be grown in culture to produce many genetically identical plants, called clones. The process is quick because meristem cells divide rapidly, and it is economical because a large number of plants can be produced from a small amount of starting material in a controlled space. Growers can use this to multiply a plant with desirable features, such as disease resistance or high yield, without waiting for seeds. The statement links the source of the cells, the method of cloning, and the advantages of speed and low cost.

    What earns the marks

    • Meristems contain unspecialised plant stem cells that can divide and differentiate.
    • Meristem cells can be grown in culture to produce genetically identical plants, which are clones.
    • The process is quick because meristem cells divide rapidly and many plants can be produced in a short time.
    • The process is economical because a small amount of starting tissue can yield many plants, saving money and space.
    • Cloning plants in this way allows desirable features to be preserved in the offspring.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Confusing meristems with gametes.

      Put it right by stating that meristems are regions of unspecialised dividing cells, not sex cells.

    • Saying cloned plants are genetically different.

      Put it right by stating that clones are genetically identical to the parent plant.

    • Giving only one advantage.

      Put it right by explaining both the speed and the economic benefit.

    Exam tips

    • Name the plant tissue as meristem and describe its cells as unspecialised and dividing.
    • Use the word clone correctly to mean a genetically identical organism.
    • Link each advantage to a reason, for example quick because cells divide rapidly, economical because little starting material is needed.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Stem cells: Stem cells from meristems in plants can be used to produce clones of plants quickly and economically. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Which part of a plant contains the stem cells that can be used to produce clones quickly and economically?

    Listen

    Meristems are regions of a plant where unspecialised cells divide rapidly, for example at the tips of roots and shoots. These cells are plant stem cells. Because they can divide and differentiate into any plant cell type, a small piece of meristem tissue can be grown in culture to produce many genetically identical plants, called clones. The process is quick because meristem cells divide rapidly, and it is economical because a large number of plants can be produced from a small amount of starting material in a controlled space. Growers can use this to multiply a plant with desirable features, such as disease resistance or high yield, without waiting for seeds. The statement links the source of the cells, the method of cloning, and the advantages of speed and low cost. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Meristems contain unspecialised plant stem cells that can divide and differentiate. Meristem cells can be grown in culture to produce genetically identical plants, which are clones. The process is quick because meristem cells divide rapidly and many plants can be produced in a short time. The process is economical because a small amount of starting tissue can yield many plants, saving money and space. A common slip: Confusing meristems with gametes. Instead, stating that meristems are regions of unspecialised dividing cells, not sex cells. Exam tip: Name the plant tissue as meristem and describe its cells as unspecialised and dividing.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. The first box states that meristems contain unspecialised plant stem cells, and an arrow leads to a box saying the cells can divide and differentiate. An arrow leads to a box saying a small piece of meristem tissue is grown in culture. An arrow leads to a box saying many genetically identical plants are produced, called clones. From this box three arrows lead to three separate boxes: one says quick, because meristem cells divide rapidly; one says economical, because little starting material yields many plants; one says desirable features are preserved in the offspring.
    It shows how meristem stem cells grown in culture produce many genetically identical cloned plants, with the advantages of speed, low cost and preserved desirable features.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Meristems

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Plant stem cells

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Clones

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    See every definition
    Meristems
    Regions of a plant where unspecialised cells divide rapidly, for example at the tips of roots and shoots.
    Plant stem cells
    Unspecialised cells in meristems that can divide and differentiate into any plant cell type.
    Clones
    Genetically identical plants produced by growing a small piece of meristem tissue in culture.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart. The first box states that meristems contain unspecialised plant stem cells, and an arrow leads to a box saying the cells can divide and differentiate. An arrow leads to a box saying a small piece of meristem tissue is grown in culture. An arrow leads to a box saying many genetically identical plants are produced, called clones. From this box three arrows lead to three separate boxes: one says quick, because meristem cells divide rapidly; one says economical, because little starting material yields many plants; one says desirable features are preserved in the offspring.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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