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The diagram shows how embryonic stem cells are produced - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 4 - 2013 - Paper 1
Question 4
The diagram shows how embryonic stem cells are produced. meiosis sperm cell fertilisation egg cell zygotecell division embryonic stem cells (a) (i) Describe how... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The diagram shows how embryonic stem cells are produced - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 4 - 2013 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe how the cells produced by meiosis are different from body cells.
Answer
The cells produced by meiosis are known as gametes, which include sperm and egg cells. These cells are distinct from body cells in two main ways:
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Chromosome Number: Gametes are haploid cells, meaning they contain half the number of chromosomes compared to body cells. For humans, body cells typically contain 46 chromosomes, while gametes have only 23 chromosomes.
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Genetic Variation: The gametes are genetically different due to the process of meiosis, which includes steps like crossing over and independent assortment that contribute to genetic diversity.
Step 2
Describe what happens to the sex cells during fertilisation.
Answer
During fertilisation, the sperm cell and egg cell interact and combine to form a zygote. This process involves the fusion of their nuclei, resulting in a diploid cell that contains a full set of chromosomes (46 in humans). The genetic information from both parents merges, creating a new and unique genetic profile for the zygote, which will eventually develop into an embryo.