j) Stem cells

What are stem cells?

Undifferentiated cells that can differentiate into any cell type by mitosis

Totipotent stem cells

Stem cells that can differentiate into any type of body cell and can also form the extra embryonic cells that make up the placenta and umbilical cord

What are stem cells?

Undifferentiated cells that can differentiate into any cell type by mitosis

Totipotent stem cells

Stem cells that can differentiate into any type of body cell and can also form the extra embryonic cells that make up the placenta and umbilical cord

What are the only cells that are totipotent?

Zygote

Those in the early embryo

Pluripotent stem cells

Stem cells that can form any type of body cell, but cannot form extra embryonic cells

What cells are pluripotent?

Embryonic stem cells (after the first couple of divisions of the zygote) are pluripotent

Multipotent stem cells

Stem cells that can form more than one cell type, but not all cell types

What cells are multipotent?

Adult stem cells (like haematopoietic cells found in the bone marrow) are pluripotent