B2.3.4—Types of stem cells
Stem cell potency describes how many cell types a stem cell can form, from totipotent early cells to multipotent adult cells.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Objective
- B2.3.4
- Level
- HL
Concept essentials
- Totipotent cells have the broadest developmental potential.
- Pluripotent cells can form many body cell types but not all extra-embryonic tissues.
- Multipotent adult stem cells form a restricted set of related cell types.
- Differentiated cells such as neurons have much less developmental potential than stem cells.
ConceptIB Biology HL