Types of Stem Cells – Biology Slideshow – Biology …

Types of Stem Cells Stem cells can be categorized into five types based on their ability to differentiate or their potency. The stem cell types are as follows: Totipotent Stem Cells These stem cells have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell in the body. Totipotent stem cells develop during sexual reproduction when male and female gametes fuse during fertilization to form a zygote. The zygote is totipotent because its cells can become any type of cell and they have limitless replicative abilities. As the zygote continues to divide and mature, its cells develop into more specialized cells called pluripotent stem cells. Pluripotent Stem Cells These stem cells have the ability to differentiate into several different types of cells. Specialization in pluripotent stem cells is minimal and therefore they can develop into almost any type of cell. Embryonic stem cells and fetal stem cells are two types of pluripotent cells.

- Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) are genetically altered adult stem cells that are induced or prompted in a laboratory to take on the characteristics of embryonic stem cells. Although iPS cells behave like and express some of the same genes that are expressed normally in embryonic stem cells, they are not exact duplicates of embryonic stem cells.

- Mesenchymal stem cells are multipotent cells of bone marrow that have the ability to differentiate into several types of specialized cells related to, but not including blood cells. These stem cells give rise to cells that form specialized connective tissues, as well as cells that support the formation of blood.

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Photo Credit: Image: Nissim Benvenisty (PLoS Biol 3(7): e234. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0030234)

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Types of Stem Cells - Biology Slideshow - Biology ...