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Polymenorrhea is a condition which affects the menstrual cycle - OCR Gateway - GCSE Biology - Question 16 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 16
Polymenorrhea is a condition which affects the menstrual cycle. Symptoms of the condition include the time between ovulation and the next period being shorter than ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Polymenorrhea is a condition which affects the menstrual cycle - OCR Gateway - GCSE Biology - Question 16 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
What is the name of the hormone that could treat the symptoms of this condition?
Answer
The hormone that could treat the symptoms of polymenorrhea is Progesterone. This hormone plays a crucial role in the menstrual cycle by maintaining the lining of the uterus and preventing it from breaking down, thus helping regulate menstrual periods.
Step 2
Describe how the hormone chosen in part (a)(i) would help.
Answer
Progesterone helps by maintaining the uterine lining during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. By preventing the breakdown of the endometrium, progesterone ensures the menstrual cycle remains regular. Its administration could stabilize the cycle in those suffering from polymenorrhea.
Step 3
Explain why embryo stem cells can be used to treat a wider range of disorders than menstrual blood stem cells.
Answer
Embryo stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they can differentiate into any cell type in the body. In contrast, menstrual blood stem cells are multipotent, which limits them to certain lineages. This difference means embryo stem cells can potentially be used to target a broader range of medical conditions, including those requiring cell types that menstrual blood stem cells cannot produce.
Step 4
Calculate the time it takes for the population to reach 16 cells.
Answer
To calculate the time required for the population to reach 16 cells, we can use the formula for doubling:
1 cell → 2 cells → 4 cells → 8 cells → 16 cells.
This shows that four generations are needed. The formula for the time taken is:
Time = Doubling time × Number of generations = 19.4 hours × 4 = 77.6 hours.
Step 5
How many times faster is the growth of menstrual blood stem cells?
Answer
To find how many times faster the growth of menstrual blood stem cells is compared to umbilical cord stem cells, we can set up the following calculation:
Growth rate of menstrual blood stem cells = 48 hours / 19.4 hours = approximately 2.48 times faster.
Step 6
Discuss why scientists think menstrual blood stem cell extraction is a positive development.
Answer
Scientists view menstrual blood stem cell extraction as a significant positive development for several reasons:
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Less Invasive: The procedure for extracting stem cells from menstrual blood is less invasive compared to other methods, such as harvesting from bone marrow.
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Higher Availability: Menstrual blood is easily obtainable, providing a consistent and renewable source of stem cells for research and treatment.
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Potential Applications: The ability to utilize these stem cells for various medical treatments can lead to new therapies for numerous conditions, thereby enhancing patient care and outcomes.