Question

What are the different types of stem cells? Highlight their features in brief.

Answer 1

Answer :

Types of STEM CELLS.

1. TOTIPOTENT
2. PLURIPOTENT
3. MULTI POTENT
4. OLIGOPOTENT
5. UNIPOTENT

TOTIPOTENT

They are most potent. They can form embryonic as well as extra embryonic tissue. Embryonic tissue include placenta, yolksac etc

PLURIPOTENT

They self renew. They can form any embryonic tissue as any three germ layer.

MULTI POTENT

Self renew can can form specific range of cell types. Example is mesenchymal stem cell. They can differentiate into osteoblast, myocyte, adipocyte or chondrocyte.

OLIGOPOTENT

Similar to multipotent but more restricted differentiation capacity. Example is hematopoietic stem cell.

UNIPOTENT

Unidirectional differentiation capacity. They can differentiate only into a single cell type. Example muscle stem cells.