<P> 2 . Stochastic differentiation: when one stem cell develops into two differentiated daughter cells, another stem cell undergoes mitosis and produces two stem cells identical to the original . </P> <P> Potency specifies the differentiation potential (the potential to differentiate into different cell types) of the stem cell . </P> <Ul> <Li> Totipotent (a.k.a. omnipotent) stem cells can differentiate into embryonic and extraembryonic cell types . Such cells can construct a complete, viable organism . These cells are produced from the fusion of an egg and sperm cell . Cells produced by the first few divisions of the fertilized egg are also totipotent . </Li> <Li> Pluripotent stem cells are the descendants of totipotent cells and can differentiate into nearly all cells, i.e. cells derived from any of the three germ layers . </Li> <Li> Multipotent stem cells can differentiate into a number of cell types, but only those of a closely related family of cells . </Li> <Li> Oligopotent stem cells can differentiate into only a few cell types, such as lymphoid or myeloid stem cells . </Li> <Li> Unipotent cells can produce only one cell type, their own, but have the property of self - renewal, which distinguishes them from non-stem cells (e.g. progenitor cells, which cannot self - renew). </Li> </Ul> <Li> Totipotent (a.k.a. omnipotent) stem cells can differentiate into embryonic and extraembryonic cell types . Such cells can construct a complete, viable organism . These cells are produced from the fusion of an egg and sperm cell . Cells produced by the first few divisions of the fertilized egg are also totipotent . </Li>

What are stem cells in the human body