DP Biology (last assessment 2024)
Question 21N.2.HL.TZ0.3b
Date | November 2021 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 1] | Reference code | 21N.2.HL.TZ0.3b |
Level | HL | Paper | 2 | Time zone | TZ0 |
Command term | State | Question number | b | Adapted from | N/A |
b.
[Maximum mark: 1]
21N.2.HL.TZ0.3b
(b)
Stem cells can be used to treat Stargardt’s disease. State one other condition treated using stem cells.
[1]
Markscheme
leukemia/other diseases of the hematopoietic system / skin burns;
Examiners report
A range of conditions were suggested, most of which are not currently treatable using stem cells. Diabetes and neurological diseases were not accepted. 60 % of candidates gave an acceptable answer, with leukaemia much the commonest. The correlation between the mark on this question and overall scores was fairly low, which may suggest that inappropriate examples have been learned in some schools. It is important not to raise hopes of stem cell treatment for specific diseases when research is still continuing and regulatory approval is unlikely for many years.
