Stem cells — AQA GCSE Biology
Test yourself on Stem cells with AQA GCSE practice questions.
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Stem cells explained
A stem cell is unspecialised, meaning it has not yet developed the specific structure and function of a mature cell such as a neurone or red blood cell.
Read the full explanation
It can divide by mitosis to produce more stem cells of the same type, so the supply is maintained, and it can also produce cells that become specialised through differentiation. Differentiation involves the cell switching on particular genes so it develops the right shape, organelles and proteins for its job. For example, a stem cell in bone marrow can divide to make more stem cells and also give rise to red blood cells that carry oxygen. You should be able to use this definition to identify stem cells in unfamiliar examples and to explain the difference between self-renewal and differentiation.
Your focus
- Define a stem cell using the terms undifferentiated and differentiation.
- Explain how stem cells can both self-renew and produce specialised cells.
- Apply the definition to identify stem cells in plants and animals.
Stem cells exam tips
Marking Points
- Defines a stem cell as undifferentiated, meaning it has not become specialised.
- States that stem cells can divide to produce many more cells of the same type, maintaining the stem cell population.
- Explains that some cells produced by stem cells differentiate into other cell types with specific functions.
- Uses examples such as bone marrow stem cells forming blood cells or meristem cells forming plant tissues.
- Distinguishes self-renewal from differentiation when describing stem cell behaviour.
Examiner Tips
- 💡Use the word undifferentiated in your definition to show precise understanding.
- 💡Give a named example of a stem cell and the specialised cell it can become.
- 💡When explaining differentiation, refer to genes being switched on or off rather than vague changes.
Common Mistakes
- Describing a stem cell as a specialised cell; correct this by stating that it is undifferentiated before it differentiates.
- Saying stem cells only produce one type of cell; correct this by stating that they can produce more stem cells and also other cell types.
- Confusing differentiation with cell division; correct this by stating that differentiation is the development of specialised features, not the act of dividing.