Totipotent stem cell

Definition

A totipotent stem cell is a type of cell that has the potential to develop into any cell type in the body or even a complete organism, including the placenta and extraembryonic tissues. In the context of anatomy and physiology, particularly within the cardiovascular system's study of blood, these cells represent the earliest stage of development from which all blood cell types can ultimately originate.

Related terms

Hematopoiesis: The process by which all of the body's blood cells are produced from stem cells, primarily occurring in the bone marrow.

Pluripotent Stem Cell: A stem cell that can develop into almost any type of cell in the body except for placental and extraembryonic tissues; slightly more specialized than totipotent stem cells.

Multipotent Stem Cell: A stem cell that can develop into several types of cells within a specific lineage or category such as different types of blood cells but not beyond their particular family