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

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What type of cells are typically used in a heart bypass procedure?

Neurons from the brain
Cells from the heart itself
Cells taken from another part of the body
Stem cells from the umbilical cord

The correct answer is: Cells taken from another part of the body

In a heart bypass procedure, cells taken from another part of the body are typically used to help promote healing and improve blood flow. During this procedure, the surgeon creates a new pathway for blood to flow to the heart by grafting a segment of blood vessel from another area, such as the leg or chest. This graft material allows the blood to bypass blockages or damaged areas in the coronary arteries. Neurons from the brain are not suitable for this procedure because they are specialized cells that function for transmitting nerve impulses, not for repairing or replacing damaged heart tissue. Cells from the heart itself would not usually be taken for this type of procedure as the focus is on creating a bypass rather than repairing the heart tissue directly. Stem cells from the umbilical cord have potential for regenerative medicine, but they are not typically used in standard bypass surgeries in the immediate context of creating vascular grafts. Therefore, using cells, specifically blood vessels from another part of the body, is the appropriate practice in heart bypass surgeries.