Which term describes stem cells that can differentiate into a limited number of tissue types?

• A. Pluripotent
• B. Totipotent
• C. Multipotent
• D. Unipotent

Answer: (C)

Stem cells have different developmental potentials. When a stem cell can become several, but a limited set of, related tissue types, that capability is called multipotent. This sits between pluripotent, which can form any body cell type, and unipotent, which can form only one cell type, and totipotent, which can form all cell types including extraembryonic tissues. An example of multipotent cells are hematopoietic stem cells, which can give rise to red blood cells, several kinds of white blood cells, and platelets, but not neurons or muscle. Thus, the term that describes stem cells capable of differentiating into a limited number of tissue types is multipotent.