AQA GCSE Biology

Stem cells

AQA GCSE Biology revision on Stem cells. Aligned to the AQA GCSE Biology 8461 specification. This bank has 25 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 25)

  1. Question 1

    Which type of human stem cell can differentiate into any specialised cell type?

    • A) Adult bone marrow
    • B) Embryonic cells
    • C) Peripheral blood
    • D) Umbilical cord
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    Answer: Embryonic cells

    Embryonic stem cells are harvested from early-stage embryos and possess the ability to differentiate into any cell type required for human development. In contrast, adult stem cells found in tissues like bone marrow are multipotent and have a much more limited range of differentiation.

  2. Question 2

    What is the primary medical risk associated with the use of embryonic stem cells in therapeutic treatments?

    • A) Viral infection
    • B) Immune rejection
    • C) Genetic mutation
    • D) Slow cell growth
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    Answer: Immune rejection

    Because embryonic stem cells originate from a different donor source, the patient's immune system often identifies the transplanted cells as 'non-self' antigens. This triggers an immune response where the body attempts to destroy the foreign cells, necessitating the use of immunosuppressant drugs.

  3. Question 3

    Which process allows plant meristem cells to form different tissues throughout the plant's life?

    • A) Differentiation
    • B) Transpiration
    • C) Photosynthesis
    • D) Translocation
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    Answer: Differentiation

    In plants, meristems are regions of unspecialised cells that divide by mitosis. These cells then undergo differentiation to become specialised structures such as xylem, phloem, or root hair cells, allowing the plant to grow continuously.

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