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Stem cells: Edexcel GCSE Biology questions

Every Edexcel GCSE Biology exam question on Stem cells (specification points 2.8–2.9), 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,834 questions

  1. Q9(b)(i)

    June 2024 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 markStem cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1 Higher, question 9(b)(i): Which other process is needed for the growth of an animal? (1) A cell elongation B differentiation C cell wall synthesis D transpiration

  2. Q4(d)

    June 2024 · Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marksStem cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1 Foundation, question 4(d): Some animal cells are stem cells. Describe the function of stem cells. (2)

  3. Q5(b)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marksStem cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Higher, question 5(b)(ii): The genetically identical stem cells produce the cells that develop into an embryo. Describe how stem cells produce the cells of an embryo. (2)

  4. Q5(c)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 markStem cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Higher, question 5(c)(i): Give one scientific reason why the bone marrow transplant in 1968 was from a sister to her brother. (1)

  5. Q5(c)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Higher

    1 markStem cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Higher, question 5(c)(ii): Give one scientific reason why some people are opposed to the isolation of human embryonic stem cells. (1)

  6. Q5(c)(iii)

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Higher

    3 marksStem cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Higher, question 5(c)(iii): Stem cells, with the properties of embryonic stem cells, can be produced from a patient’s own skin cells. Discuss the benefits of using these stem cells to trea

  7. Q3(b)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marksStem cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Foundation, question 3(b)(ii): Describe how stem cells help animals to grow. (2)

  8. Q3(b)(iv)

    June 2023 · Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marksStem cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 1 Foundation, question 3(b)(iv): Explain one reason for transplanting stem cells into the retina. (2)

  9. Q9(a)(ii)

    June 2022 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marksStem cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1 Higher, question 9(a)(ii): Explain why human stem cells are used for this process. (2)

  10. Q6(c)(i)

    June 2022 · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 markStem cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 1 Foundation, question 6(c)(i): Which term describes the area of a root where many cells are dividing by mitosis? (1) A meristem B root hair cell C xylem D phloem

  11. Q5(c)

    November 2021 · Paper 1 Higher

    4 marksStem cells
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2021 Paper 1 Higher, question 5(c): Arthritis is a condition that occurs when cells in joints get damaged or destroyed. Stem cell therapy can be used to treat arthritis. Discuss the benefits and r

  12. Q3(a)(i)

    November 2020 · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marksStem cells
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1 Higher, question 3(a)(i): Describe the function of a meristem in the growth of a plant. (2)

  13. Q9(a)(i)

    November 2020 · Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marksStem cells
    The whole paper ↗
    November 2020 Paper 1 Foundation, question 9(a)(i): Describe the function of a meristem in the growth of a plant. (2)

  14. Q6(a)

    June 2018 · Paper 1 Higher

    3 marksStem cells
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 Paper 1 Higher, question 6(a): In 2012, two scientists were awarded the Nobel prize for their research on stem cells. They showed that adult cells could be reprogrammed to become cells with t

  15. Q7(b)

    Specimen · Paper 1 Higher

    2 marksStem cells
    The whole paper ↗
    Specimen Paper 1 Higher, question 7(b): Macular degeneration is a defect of the eye that occurs when some cells of the retina begin to break down. Embryonic stem cell therapy has been used to improve

  16. Q5(b)(ii)

    Specimen · Paper 1 Foundation

    1 markStem cells
    The whole paper ↗
    Specimen Paper 1 Foundation, question 5(b)(ii): Which process occurs causing the divided cells to become specialised? (1) A meiosis B cloning C differentiation D cytokinesis A student wanted to observe dividi
All 16 questions on Stem cells, as a list
  1. June 2024, Paper 1 Higher, Q9(b)(i) (1 mark): Which other process is needed for the growth of an animal? (1) A cell elongation B differentiation C cell wall synthesis D transpiration
  2. June 2024, Paper 1 Foundation, Q4(d) (2 marks): Some animal cells are stem cells. Describe the function of stem cells. (2)
  3. June 2023, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(b)(ii) (2 marks): The genetically identical stem cells produce the cells that develop into an embryo. Describe how stem cells produce the cells of an embryo. (2)
  4. June 2023, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(c)(i) (1 mark): Give one scientific reason why the bone marrow transplant in 1968 was from a sister to her brother. (1)
  5. June 2023, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(c)(ii) (1 mark): Give one scientific reason why some people are opposed to the isolation of human embryonic stem cells. (1)
  6. June 2023, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(c)(iii) (3 marks): Stem cells, with the properties of embryonic stem cells, can be produced from a patient’s own skin cells. Discuss the benefits of using these stem cells to trea
  7. June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe how stem cells help animals to grow. (2)
  8. June 2023, Paper 1 Foundation, Q3(b)(iv) (2 marks): Explain one reason for transplanting stem cells into the retina. (2)
  9. June 2022, Paper 1 Higher, Q9(a)(ii) (2 marks): Explain why human stem cells are used for this process. (2)
  10. June 2022, Paper 1 Foundation, Q6(c)(i) (1 mark): Which term describes the area of a root where many cells are dividing by mitosis? (1) A meristem B root hair cell C xylem D phloem
  11. November 2021, Paper 1 Higher, Q5(c) (4 marks): Arthritis is a condition that occurs when cells in joints get damaged or destroyed. Stem cell therapy can be used to treat arthritis. Discuss the benefits and r
  12. November 2020, Paper 1 Higher, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe the function of a meristem in the growth of a plant. (2)
  13. November 2020, Paper 1 Foundation, Q9(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe the function of a meristem in the growth of a plant. (2)
  14. June 2018, Paper 1 Higher, Q6(a) (3 marks): In 2012, two scientists were awarded the Nobel prize for their research on stem cells. They showed that adult cells could be reprogrammed to become cells with t
  15. Specimen, Paper 1 Higher, Q7(b) (2 marks): Macular degeneration is a defect of the eye that occurs when some cells of the retina begin to break down. Embryonic stem cell therapy has been used to improve
  16. Specimen, Paper 1 Foundation, Q5(b)(ii) (1 mark): Which process occurs causing the divided cells to become specialised? (1) A meiosis B cloning C differentiation D cytokinesis A student wanted to observe dividi

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