What does pluripotent mean?

Pluripotent refers to a type of stem cell that has the ability to develop into many, but not all, types of cells in an organism. This means that pluripotent cells can differentiate into nearly all cell types, such as cells from the three germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. However, they cannot form an entire organism independently as they lack the ability to create extra-embryonic tissues, such as the placenta.

This characteristic makes pluripotent cells significant in developmental biology and regenerative medicine. For example, embryonic stem cells are considered pluripotent because they can give rise to any cell type that constitutes the body, except for those that are specifically involved in forming a complete organism.

By contrast, other options describe different types of cells that do not encompass the full scope of pluripotency—such as those that are only capable of limited differentiation or have lost their ability to differentiate altogether. Understanding the definition and function of pluripotent cells is crucial for advancements in therapies that employ stem cell technologies.