Stem cells in animals
I can explain what stem cells are, and give examples of where they are found in animals.
Stem cells in animals
I can explain what stem cells are, and give examples of where they are found in animals.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- An early animal embryo is made of unspecialised cells; these are embryonic stem cells.
- Embryonic stem cells can differentiate to become all types of cells in the animal’s body.
- As an animal develops into an adult, some cells remain unspecialised; these are adult stem cells.
- Adult stem cells can differentiate to become most but not all types of cells in the animal’s body.
- An example of adult stem cells in humans (e.g. in bone marrow; these can divide and differentiate to make blood cells).
Keywords
Embryo - Formed from a zygote by cell division; it is the early stages of development.
Unspecialised cell - A cell with no specific function, but has the capability to turn into different types of cells.
Embryonic stem cell - A cell from an embryo which can differentiate into any type of cell.
Differentiation - The process of an unspecialised cell becoming specialised through the mechanism of turning genes on and off.
Adult stem cell - Can differentiate into related cells.
Common misconception
Adult stem cells don't exist or can differentiate in the same way as embryonic stem cells.
Give examples of adult stem cells and the types of cells they will differentiate into, using examples that pupils might be familiar with.
To help you plan your year 10 biology lesson on: Stem cells in animals, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 10 biology lesson on: Stem cells in animals, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 4 biology lessons from the Stem cells and differentiation unit, dive into the full secondary biology curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
