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Biology Quiz - Unit 2 - Stem Cells (Questions)

Stem cells are one of the major discoveries of modern science. They have the ability to become any other type of cell and could be used to repair damaged organs or in the treatment of disease. This GCSE Biology quiz looks more closely at stem cells and how we can use them. It also asks some ethical questions about their use.

Each cell in your body has a specific shape and a specific job to do - we say they are specialised. This all happened whilst you were an embryo and specialised cells cannot later change to become a different type - muscles cells will always be muscle cells; epithelial cells will always be epithelial cells and so on, although cutting-edge research now suggests that this may not be the case.

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But there are some cells which are unspecialised - these are called stem cells and they have the ability to become any type of cell. When they were discovered, there was a lot of excitement in the medical community because using stem cells could lead to some incredible treatments. Scientists researching them believe that they could possibly be used to repair damaged organs in the body like bones, cartilage and the heart. They could also be used to treat brain diseases like Parkinson's, to reverse paralysis or even regrow lost limbs. But it will be a long time until medical science reaches that stage; a lot of research is needed to find out how stem cells work, how to make them do what we want and to make sure that they will not just grow uncontrollably in the body. Human stem cells can be obtained from adult bone marrow or from growing embryos.

A big issue surrounding stem cells is therapeutic cloning. This is a theoretical process where you are cloned to produce an embryo. Stem cells are then extracted from this embryo and grown to produce the organ that you need. There would be no problem with your body rejecting the new tissues as they would be from your own cells anyway. For the exam, you could be asked to weigh up the pros and cons of therapeutic cloning and the use of stem cells, for example, one issue is, that during the process, some embryos could be destroyed. You will need to present your arguments using the scientific ideas that you have learnt surrounding stem cells.

Stem cells could help us to repair damaged body parts. They might also be used in the treatment of previously incurable diseases. But is it ethical to use them? Try this quiz to refresh your knowledge of stem cells.

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1. A human stem cell can develop into what?
[ ] Some cells
[ ] Only nerve cells
[ ] Only ears
[ ] Any type of human cell
2. Stem cells in adults can be found mainly in which location?
[ ] Blood
[ ] Heart
[ ] Bone marrow
[ ] Brain
3. Can stem cells can be grown in a lab?
[ ] No
[ ] Yes
[ ] Sometimes
[ ] Never
4. Stem cells can be removed from which stage of human development?
[ ] Egg
[ ] Sperm
[ ] Zygote
[ ] Embryo
5. Some people object to stem cell research saying it is...
[ ] expensive
[ ] unethical
[ ] a waste of resources
[ ] against God
6. When a cell develops into its specialised cell type, what is it called?
[ ] Undifferentiated
[ ] Redifferentiated
[ ] Differentiated
[ ] Dedifferentiated
7. Stem cells could be used to cure paralysis. Which type of cell would they need to become?
[ ] Heart
[ ] Liver
[ ] Kidney
[ ] Nerve
8. We can cure certain types of leukaemia using cells from which part of the body?
[ ] The blood
[ ] The muscles
[ ] The bone marrow
[ ] The heart
9. Bone marrow can be provided by donors. Where do doctors take the bone marrow from?
[ ] Hip bone
[ ] Thigh bone
[ ] Arm bone
[ ] Neck vein
10. To avoid ethical issues concerning embryos in the future, stem cells may be taken from which source?
[ ] Mice
[ ] Prisoners
[ ] Umbilical cords
[ ] Blood

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Cell division

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Biology Quiz - Unit 2 - Stem Cells (Answers)
1. A human stem cell can develop into what?
[ ] Some cells
[ ] Only nerve cells
[ ] Only ears
[x] Any type of human cell
Once they have developed into a specialised cell, they will remain in that form
2. Stem cells in adults can be found mainly in which location?
[ ] Blood
[ ] Heart
[x] Bone marrow
[ ] Brain
Stem cells can be extracted from adult bone marrow
3. Can stem cells can be grown in a lab?
[ ] No
[x] Yes
[ ] Sometimes
[ ] Never
Stem cells can be grown in a special dish in a lab and can then be used in operations to replace parts of the body
4. Stem cells can be removed from which stage of human development?
[ ] Egg
[ ] Sperm
[ ] Zygote
[x] Embryo
Umbilical cord blood contains stem cells and can be used to treat some blood disorders in the brothers or sisters
5. Some people object to stem cell research saying it is...
[ ] expensive
[x] unethical
[ ] a waste of resources
[ ] against God
The ethical debate continues over the use of human embryos in research
6. When a cell develops into its specialised cell type, what is it called?
[ ] Undifferentiated
[ ] Redifferentiated
[x] Differentiated
[ ] Dedifferentiated
Stem cells become differentiated cells
7. Stem cells could be used to cure paralysis. Which type of cell would they need to become?
[ ] Heart
[ ] Liver
[ ] Kidney
[x] Nerve
Paralysis is usually caused by broken nerves or nerve disorders
8. We can cure certain types of leukaemia using cells from which part of the body?
[ ] The blood
[ ] The muscles
[x] The bone marrow
[ ] The heart
Leukaemia is a form of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Adult bone marrow contains stem cells that could be used in leukaemia treatment
9. Bone marrow can be provided by donors. Where do doctors take the bone marrow from?
[x] Hip bone
[ ] Thigh bone
[ ] Arm bone
[ ] Neck vein
Donors can also receive injections to stimulate stem cells to appear in the blood which is removed through a vein. This is a newer procedure
10. To avoid ethical issues concerning embryos in the future, stem cells may be taken from which source?
[ ] Mice
[ ] Prisoners
[x] Umbilical cords
[ ] Blood
After birth, the human umbilical cord is expelled from the womb and then discarded