National 5BiologySQARevision NotesUnit 2: Multicellular OrganismsProducing New CellsStem Cells

Stem Cells (SQA National 5 Biology): Revision Note

Exam code: X807 75

Cara Head

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Cara Head

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Stem cells

  • A stem cell is an unspecialised cell of an organism that is capable of dividing by mitosis an unlimited number of times

  • When a stem cell divides by mitosis, the cells formed may

    • self-renew and remain unspecialised meaning that they can divide again to form more unspecialised stem cells

    • differentiate into specialised cells as they have the potential to become different types of cells

      • Once a cell has become specialised, it cannot return to being unspecialised

  • There are two types of animal stem cells:

Embryonic stem cells

Adult stem cells

Source

Embryos - in the very early stages of development

Some tissues and organs in animals throughout life

Potential of the cell

Can differentiate into all the different cell types

Can differentiate into a limited number of cell types

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    Cara Head

    Author: Cara Head

    Expertise: Biology & Psychology Content Creator

    Cara graduated from the University of Exeter in 2005 with a degree in Biological Sciences. She has fifteen years of experience teaching the Sciences at KS3 to KS5, and Psychology at A-Level. Cara has taught in a range of secondary schools across the South West of England before joining the team at SME. Cara is passionate about Biology and creating resources that bring the subject alive and deepen students' understanding