Which of the following stem cells has the ability to form all three germ layers?

Pluripotent stem cells have the unique ability to differentiate into all three germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. This characteristic makes them incredibly valuable in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, as they can give rise to virtually any cell type in the body, providing a robust source for various therapeutic applications.

In contrast, oligopotent stem cells are limited in their differentiation potential and can develop into a few cell types but not all three germ layers. Unipotent stem cells are even more restricted, as they can only generate one specific cell type. Totipotent stem cells, while able to form all cell types including placental tissue, are often associated with the earliest stages of development, such as the zygote and the first few divisions, before they become pluripotent.

Thus, pluripotent stem cells are distinguished by their capacity to form numerous cell types from each of the germ layers, making them essential for advanced applications in tissue engineering.