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Classes of Stem Cells

There are three classes of stem cells: totipotent, pluripotent and multipotent (also known as unipotent). A totipotent cell has potential that is total, meaning that an entire organism can be derived from it. Totipotency is a stem cell’s ability to divide and transform itself into any cell required for proper fetal development. Egg fertilization is the starting point of totipotent cells. Cell division cycles immediately follow fertilization, and cell specialization commences roughly four days afterwards.

A pluripotent cell is derived from a totipotent cell. A pluripotent cell has the capacity to divide and specialize into any of the three main types of body tissue: ectoderm (nervous system and skin tissues), mesoderm (bone, muscle, blood) and endoderm (interior gut lining). The primary difference between totipotency and pluripotency is that pluripotent cells cannot develop into a fetus.

The further specialization of a pluripotent cell results in a multipotent cell, which is a stem cell that is limited in the types of cells it can become. In effect, it becomes too specialized to be used as other bodily tissues. An example is a cell that can become one of a variety of blood cells but cannot be used in the heart.

Web Resources On Classes of Stem Cells

Stem Cell Information from the NIH
Wikipedia: Stem Cells

Book Resources On Classes of Stem Cells

Stem Cell Research: New Frontiers in Science and Ethics by Nancy E. Snow
Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine by Committee on Biological & Biomedical Application

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