A unipotent cell is a stem cell that can produce only one cell type but has the crucial ability to self-renew.
Understanding Unipotent Stem Cells
Unipotent stem cells are specialized stem cells committed to differentiating into a single cell type. This differs from pluripotent or multipotent stem cells, which can differentiate into multiple cell types. The key characteristic of unipotent cells is their ability to self-renew, which distinguishes them from non-stem cells that cannot replicate indefinitely.
Examples of Unipotent Cells
According to the provided reference, here are examples of unipotent stem cells:
- Germ line stem cells: These cells produce sperm.
- Epidermal stem cells: These cells produce skin cells.
Table Summarizing Stem Cell Potency
Cell Type | Differentiation Potential | Self-Renewal | Example |
---|---|---|---|
Totipotent | Can differentiate into all embryonic and extraembryonic cells | Yes | Zygote |
Pluripotent | Can differentiate into all cells of the three germ layers | Yes | Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs) |
Multipotent | Can differentiate into a limited range of cell types | Yes | Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) |
Unipotent | Can differentiate into only one cell type | Yes | Epidermal stem cells |
In summary, unipotent stem cells, like germ line stem cells and epidermal stem cells, demonstrate the ability to self-renew while being restricted to producing a single cell type.