OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Get ready for the OCR GCSE Biology exam with our comprehensive quiz, featuring flashcards and multiple choice questions. Understand the exam format, key topics, and effective study strategies to excel.

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

What type of cells form during embryonic development?

Prokaryotic cells
Embryonic stem cells
Gametes
Adult somatic cells

The correct answer is: Embryonic stem cells

During embryonic development, the type of cells that form are embryonic stem cells. These cells are unique because they have the capability to differentiate into any cell type that makes up the body, which is essential during the early stages of development. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent, meaning they can develop into over 200 different cell types, which is crucial for forming the various tissues and organs of an organism. In contrast, prokaryotic cells, which include bacteria, do not arise from embryonic development and have a fundamentally different cellular structure. Gametes are reproductive cells (sperm and eggs) and are not formed during the early stages of embryonic development but rather are produced in adults for reproduction. Adult somatic cells are differentiated cells that make up the tissues and organs of an organism, but they do not emerge during the very early stages of embryonic development; instead, they arise later when embryonic stem cells differentiate. This highlights the distinctive role of embryonic stem cells in early development processes.