Which stem cells maintain the capacity to self-renew and differentiate into more than one cell type?

Study for the Tissue Engineering Exam. Enhance your knowledge with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your assessment!

The correct answer is that all of the options provided consist of stem cells that have the capacity to self-renew and differentiate into more than one cell type.

Pluripotent stem cells, such as those derived from embryos, have the ability to differentiate into nearly all cell types found in the body. This makes them particularly valuable in research and regenerative medicine, as they can give rise to cells of all three germ layers.

Embryonic stem cells, which are a subset of pluripotent stem cells, also possess the capacity for self-renewal and can differentiate into any cell type. They are taken from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst, an early stage of embryonic development.

Adult stem cells, or somatic stem cells, may not be able to differentiate into as many cell types as their embryonic counterparts, but they still have the unique ability to self-renew and can differentiate into various cells specific to the tissue or organ from which they originate. For example, hematopoietic stem cells can give rise to all blood cell types.

Thus, all these stem cell types showcase the fundamental characteristics of self-renewal and multipotency, confirming that the answer encompasses all the categories.

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