What are stem cells?

Stem cells are characterized as undifferentiated cells that have the unique ability to develop into various cell types throughout the body. This capability is essential for growth, development, and tissue repair. For example, in an organism, stem cells can differentiate into muscle cells, nerve cells, or blood cells based on the signals they receive from their environment. This pluripotency or multipotency enables stem cells to play a crucial role in regenerative medicine and developmental biology.

In contrast to specialized cells that carry out specific functions or fully developed cells, stem cells retain the potential to transform into different types of cells, depending on the needs of the organism. Additionally, the definition of stem cells inherently involves their capacity to divide and replenish themselves, distinguishing them from cells that have lost their ability to undergo further division. Thus, the defining characteristic of stem cells is their undifferentiated nature and their potential to differentiate into various specialized cells, making them pivotal in biological systems.