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GCSE Biology · key term
A stem cell from an early embryo that can differentiate into any type of specialised body cell.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.1.2.3 · Paper 1
A stem cell found in an early embryo that can differentiate into most types of human cell.
Revise: Types and Functions of Stem CellsThe early embryo contains embryonic stem cells, which supply the new cells needed as the body develops.
Specification 2.8, 2.9 · Paper 1
A stem cell in an early embryo that can differentiate into essentially any type of specialised body cell.
Revise: Stem CellsAn embryo is an early stage of development formed after the zygote divides. Its early cells are unspecialised embryonic stem cells. These cells can divide repeatedly and differentiate into essentially any specialised body-cell type.
Specification B2.1f, B6.3v · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
A stem cell found in an early animal embryo that can differentiate into any type of body cell.
Revise: Embryonic vs adult stem cellsEarly animal embryos contain embryonic stem cells. These cells must supply the many different specialised cell types needed as the body develops.
A stem cell from an early embryo that can differentiate into almost any type of specialised body cell.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
An unspecialised cell in an early animal embryo that can become any type of animal cell.
Revise: Stem CellsThe earliest embryonic cells are unspecialised: they do not yet have the particular jobs of, for example, blood, muscle or nerve cells. These embryonic stem cells can divide and give rise to any type of animal cell. This allows an embryo to develop the different tissues and organs it needs.
A stem cell from an early embryo that can develop into many different types of specialised cell.
In a comparison, use the correct range: embryonic stem cells can form most human cell types; adult bone-marrow stem cells can form many cell types, including blood cells; plant meristem cells can form any type of plant cell.
Keep the three sources distinct: embryonic stem cells can form essentially any body-cell type; adult stem cells usually form a limited range of related cells; meristems produce specialised plant cells.
When asked for a difference, compare the two types directly: embryonic stem cells come from early embryos and can form a much wider range of body-cell types, whereas adult stem cells remain in developed tissues and usually form a restricted range of related cells.
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