Which type of stem cell has broader differentiation abilities?

Pluripotent stem cells are characterized by their ability to differentiate into nearly all cell types of the body. This means they can give rise to cells from all three germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm, which comprise all the various tissue types. Their versatility is what classifies them as having broader differentiation abilities compared to other types of stem cells.

Multipotent stem cells, on the other hand, can differentiate into a limited range of cell types, typically related to a specific tissue or organ. Adult stem cells also have a more restricted potential and usually only differentiate into cell types of the tissue in which they are found. Induced pluripotent stem cells are derived from adult cells that have been genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state, and while they have capabilities similar to pluripotent stem cells, their differentiation potential is often viewed as slightly less versatile due to the genetic modifications involved in their creation.

Overall, the ability of pluripotent stem cells to develop into virtually any cell type in the body sets them apart as the type of stem cell with the broadest differentiation capabilities.