Cambridge O Level Biology · Syllabus 5090 · Development of Organisms and Continuity of Life
Stem Cell
What is Stem Cell?
An unspecialised cell that divides by mitosis to produce daughter cells which can become specialised for particular functions. Stem cells are the source of the many different cell types found in a multicellular organism.
This definition is part of the Development of Organisms and Continuity of Life chapter in Cambridge O Level Biology.
Questions students ask about Stem Cell
What exactly is a stem cell?
A stem cell is an unspecialised cell that divides by mitosis to produce daughter cells which can become specialised. Because the division is mitosis, every daughter cell carries the same genes; what differs after differentiation is which of those genes are used. That is why a nerve cell and a red blood cell in the same person contain identical DNA but look nothing alike.