What is the Difference Between Pluripotent and Multipotent Stem Cells?

Pluripotent and multipotent stem cells are two types of stem cells that differ in their ability to differentiate into various cell types. Here are the main differences between them:

• Pluripotent Stem Cells:
• Can give rise to all cell types that make up the body, but not the placenta.
• Examples include embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells.
• Often referred to as true stem cells since they have the ability to differentiate into any type of cell lineage.
• Multipotent Stem Cells:
• Can develop into more than one cell type, but are more limited than pluripotent cells.
• Can differentiate into a limited range of cell types within a particular lineage.
• Examples include adult stem cells, cord blood stem cells, hematopoietic stem cells, neural stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells.

In summary, pluripotent stem cells have a higher potency and can differentiate into any cell type in the body, while multipotent stem cells have a lower potency and can differentiate into a limited range of cell types within a specific lineage.

Comparative Table: Pluripotent vs Multipotent Stem Cells

Here is a table comparing the differences between pluripotent and multipotent stem cells:

Pluripotent stem cells are capable of giving rise to all cell types in the body, while multipotent stem cells can develop into a limited number of cell types. Pluripotent stem cells are found in the inner mass of the blastocyst and are considered to have a high potency, meaning they can differentiate into cells from any of the three germ layers. On the other hand, multipotent stem cells are found in many tissues and have a medium potency, meaning they can differentiate into a limited range of cell types. Adult stem cells and cord blood stem cells are considered multipotent.