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2.2.4Structure & Functions in Living Organisms

Stem Cells in Medicine: Advantages and Disadvantages — Edexcel International GCSE Biology 4BI1 Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 4 parts Lesson 13 of 21 Unit quiz

📚 Edexcel International GCSE Biology 4BI1 Hub / Topical Revision
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Part 1 of 4Types of Stem Cell

2.2.4 Stem Cells in Medicine: Advantages and Disadvantages

Stem cells can divide by mitosis many times and may stay as stem cells or differentiate into specialised cells.

Embryonic
  • Found only in embryos, and able to differentiate into any type of cell needed to build all the tissues and organs of the body.
Adult
  • Found in some tissues such as bone marrow, and able to differentiate into only a limited range of cell types.
Bone marrow
  • Adult stem cells here form red blood cells, white blood cells and the cells that make platelets, but not nerve or muscle cells.
FeatureEmbryonic stem cellsAdult stem cells
SourceEmbryosSome adult tissues and organs
Cell types possibleAll typesA limited number
Ethical concernEmbryo is destroyedMuch smaller

Part 2 of 4Uses in Medicine

Stem cell therapy aims to replace or repair cells that are not working properly.

Uses in Medicine
Blood disorders
  • Healthy donor bone marrow can be transplanted so that the patient's marrow produces working blood cells.
Anaemia
  • Replacement red blood cells improve the transport of oxygen around the body.
Immune deficiency
  • New white blood cells such as lymphocytes and phagocytes can improve the body's defences against infection.
Clotting problems
  • A supply of platelets helps treat patients whose blood does not clot properly.

Part 3 of 4Evaluating Stem Cell Therapy

Exam questions ask you to weigh benefits against risks and social concerns.

1
Advantage: embryonic stem cells could be used to make almost any cell type, giving the potential to treat many conditions.
2
Advantage: using the patient's own stem cells means the new cells carry the same antigens, so the body does not reject them.
3
Disadvantage: donor cells have different antigens, so the patient must take immunosuppressant drugs, which weaken the defence against infection.
4
Ethical issue: obtaining embryonic stem cells destroys an embryo, which some people regard as a potential human life.
5
Balance the points: say who benefits, who objects and why, then give a justified conclusion.

Part 4 of 4Exam Checklist & Tips

2.2.4 – Key Points for the Exam

  • Stem cell An undifferentiated cell that can divide by mitosis and differentiate into other cell types.
  • Embryonic stem cell A stem cell from an embryo that can become any cell type.
  • Adult stem cell A stem cell from adult tissue that can become only a limited range of cell types.
  • Antigen A protein on the surface of a cell that the immune system uses to recognise it as self or foreign.
  • Immunosuppressant A drug that reduces the activity of the immune system to prevent rejection.

Common Mistakes

  • Saying adult stem cells can become any cell; they are limited to a few types.
  • Claiming embryonic stem cell use has no disadvantages; the ethical objection must be mentioned.
  • Forgetting that donor cells carry different antigens and may be rejected.
  • Describing stem cells as specialised; they are unspecialised until they differentiate.

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Cambridge 9700 AS Biology Core Formula

Magnification Triangle & Unit Conversion

Formula: M = I / A  ⇔  A = I / M  ⇔  I = M × A

Units: 1 mm = 1,000 μm = 1,000,000 nm.
Rule: Convert Image size (ruler mm) to μm by ×1,000 before dividing by Actual size.

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