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Edexcel IGCSE Biology · Spec 2.5B-2.6B

Specialised Cells and Stem Cells (Triple)

How cells become specialised (differentiation), examples of specialised cells, and the uses and ethics of stem cells.

Biology revision video

Specialised Cells and Stem Cells (Triple)

Spec 2.5B-2.6B

What you need to know

  • Explain how cells become specialised, which is called differentiation
  • Describe what stem cells are and where they are found
  • Give advantages and disadvantages of using stem cells in medicine

Active recall

Quick check

Answer each question before opening the answer.

What is a stem cell?

An unspecialised cell that can keep dividing and can differentiate into different specialised cell types.

Give a specialised cell and one adaptation.

E.g. red blood cell — biconcave, no nucleus, packed with haemoglobin; or root hair cell — long projection giving a large surface area for absorption.

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