Multipotent stem cells are defined as cells that can become a limited number of types of tissues and cells in the body.

• A. Stem cells that can differentiate into any tissue types.
• B. Stem cells that can differentiate into almost all tissues and cells.
• C. Stem cells that can become a limited number of types of tissues and cells.
• D. Stem cells that can differentiate into a restricted set of related cell types.

Answer: (C)

Multipotent stem cells are cells that can differentiate into a limited number of related cell types. This means they can generate several kinds of cells within a particular tissue or lineage, but not every tissue in the body. For example, hematopoietic stem cells can become red blood cells, several types of white blood cells, or platelets, staying within the blood system. That fits the description of a limited number of tissues and cells, distinguishing multipotent cells from pluripotent (which can form many, but not all, body tissues) or totipotent (which can form all tissues and extraembryonic structures). In essence, multipotent cells are versatile within their own lineage but restricted compared with higher-potency stem cells.