Totipotent stem cells

Totipotent stem cells will develop into any human cell. Pluripotent stem cells will grow into three very broad categories of cells: endoderm (e.g., gastrointestinal and respiratory); ectoderm (e.g., nerves and skin); and mesoderm (e.g., bones, muscle, and blood). Multipotent stem cells descend from pluripotent stem cells but have a more limited range of development. For example, multipotent nerve stem cells can form into only neural and glial cells. Unipotent stem cells can produce only one type of cell. Embryonic stem cells are of particular interest to researchers because of their potential to treat a wide range of human diseases and disorders. Scientists have also found that it is possible to manipulate somatic stem cells into forming other cell types.