OCR · A-Level · Biology

    Course version: H420 · Version from Sept 2025

    (k) the production of erythrocytes and neutrophils as examples of…

    Full specification wording

    Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation: (k) the production of erythrocytes and neutrophils as examples of distinct, differentiated cells derived from a common stem cell in bone marrow

    In bone marrow, multipotent stem cells divide by mitosis and differentiate along different pathways to produce distinct blood cells.

    Checked against the OCR H420 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 11 of 13
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    In bone marrow, multipotent stem cells divide by mitosis and differentiate along different pathways to produce distinct blood cells. Erythrocyte production (erythropoiesis) is stimulated by erythropoietin: the cell loses its nucleus and organelles, becomes packed with haemoglobin and adopts a biconcave shape, giving a large surface area for oxygen transport. Neutrophil production involves retaining a lobed nucleus and forming many lysosomes and granules, enabling phagocytosis of pathogens. Both cell types therefore arise from the same common stem cell but express different genes, producing different structures suited to different functions — a clear illustration of differentiation.

    What earns the marks

    • Erythrocytes and neutrophils both derive from a common multipotent stem cell in bone marrow.
    • Erythrocytes lose their nucleus and organelles and become packed with haemoglobin.
    • The biconcave shape of erythrocytes increases surface area for oxygen transport.
    • Neutrophils retain a lobed nucleus and contain many lysosomes/granules for phagocytosis.
    • Differentiation of the same stem cell along different pathways results from selective gene expression.
    • Erythropoietin stimulates erythrocyte production in bone marrow.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Claiming erythrocytes and neutrophils come from different stem cells.

      Put it right: Both derive from a common stem cell in bone marrow.

    • Stating that erythrocytes keep their nucleus.

      Put it right: Mature erythrocytes lose their nucleus and organelles.

    • Describing neutrophils as having no nucleus.

      Put it right: Neutrophils retain a lobed nucleus and many granules.

    Exam tips

    • Link each cell's structure to its function (haemoglobin/biconcave shape for oxygen; granules for phagocytosis).
    • Use the term 'common stem cell' to emphasise shared origin.
    • Check MCQ options for swapped features between erythrocytes and neutrophils.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the Cell division, cell diversity and cellular organisation: (k) the production of erythrocytes and neutrophils as examples of distinct, differentiated cells derived from a common stem cell in bone marrow lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Erythrocytes and neutrophils are both produced in bone marrow. Which feature distinguishes a mature erythrocyte from a mature neutrophil?

    Listen

    In bone marrow, multipotent stem cells divide by mitosis and differentiate along different pathways to produce distinct blood cells. Erythrocyte production (erythropoiesis) is stimulated by erythropoietin: the cell loses its nucleus and organelles, becomes packed with haemoglobin and adopts a biconcave shape, giving a large surface area for oxygen transport. Neutrophil production involves retaining a lobed nucleus and forming many lysosomes and granules, enabling phagocytosis of pathogens. Both cell types therefore arise from the same common stem cell but express different genes, producing different structures suited to different functions — a clear illustration of differentiation. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Erythrocytes and neutrophils both derive from a common multipotent stem cell in bone marrow. Erythrocytes lose their nucleus and organelles and become packed with haemoglobin. The biconcave shape of erythrocytes increases surface area for oxygen transport. Neutrophils retain a lobed nucleus and contain many lysosomes/granules for phagocytosis. A common slip: Claiming erythrocytes and neutrophils come from different stem cells. Instead, both derive from a common stem cell in bone marrow. Exam tip: Link each cell's structure to its function (haemoglobin/biconcave shape for oxygen; granules for phagocytosis).

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. At the top is a common multipotent stem cell in bone marrow, which divides by mitosis and branches into two pathways. The left pathway is the erythrocyte route, stimulated by erythropoietin; it leads to the cell losing its nucleus and organelles, then becoming packed with haemoglobin, then adopting a biconcave shape giving a large surface area for oxygen transport. The right pathway is the neutrophil route; it leads to retaining a lobed nucleus, then forming many lysosomes and granules, which enables phagocytosis of pathogens. Both pathways are also linked to a shared node labelled selective gene expression.
    Shows how a common bone marrow stem cell gives rise to erythrocytes and neutrophils along different differentiation pathways, each with structures suited to its function.

    Key words

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    Common stem cell origin

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    Erythrocyte structure and function

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    Neutrophil structure and function

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    Selective gene expression in differentiation

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    See every definition
    Common stem cell origin
    Erythrocytes and neutrophils both derive from a common multipotent stem cell in bone marrow.
    Erythrocyte structure and function
    The cell loses its nucleus and organelles, becomes packed with haemoglobin and adopts a biconcave shape, giving a large surface area for oxygen transport.
    Neutrophil structure and function
    Production involves retaining a lobed nucleus and forming many lysosomes and granules, enabling phagocytosis of pathogens.
    Selective gene expression in differentiation
    Both cell types arise from the same common stem cell but express different genes, producing different structures suited to different functions.

    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. At the top is a common multipotent stem cell in bone marrow, which divides by mitosis and branches into two pathways. The left pathway is the erythrocyte route, stimulated by erythropoietin; it leads to the cell losing its nucleus and organelles, then becoming packed with haemoglobin, then adopting a biconcave shape giving a large surface area for oxygen transport. The right pathway is the neutrophil route; it leads to retaining a lobed nucleus, then forming many lysosomes and granules, which enables phagocytosis of pathogens. Both pathways are also linked to a shared node labelled selective gene expression.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

    0 of 3 labelled

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