Unit B2: Topic 2 - Divide and Develop

Understanding how living things grow helps us to understand and treat medical problems arising at birth or later in life. Cells can differentiate to specific functions. In animals this differentiation arises from stem cells, but this ability is lost at an early stage. Scientists are beginning to understand the medical potential of stem cells. There is ample opportunity to discuss ethical issues associated with growth and development and genetic modification, as well as giving consideration to the potential of gene therapy.

Glossary: Embryo, foetus, genetic modification, selective breeding, stem cells.

Learning outcomes: Students will be assessed on their ability to;

• Explore the scientific evidence for the potential of stem cell research
• Understand that cells have a limit to the number of divisions they undergo; the Hayflick limit; stem cells and cancer cells have no Hayflick limit
• Understand that animal stem cells differentiate into all other types of cells, but lose this ability as the animal matures