# DBT JRF 2022 — Question 62

Exam: DBT JRF 2022 · Section: B · Topic: Cell Biology › Stem Cells & Pluripotency · Difficulty: Medium

## Question

The animal embryonic stem cells that can differentiate into any embryonic cell type are known as:

## Options

- **A.** Pluripotent stem cells
- **B.** Multipotent stem cells
- **C.** Oligopotent stem cells
- **D.** Unipotent stem cells

## Answer

Option A

## Explanation

Pluripotent stem cells — differentiation potential: Pluripotent stem cells can differentiate into virtually any cell type in the body (all ~200 somatic cell types from all three germ layers): • Ectoderm: skin, neurons, sense organs • Mesoderm: muscle, bone, blood, connective tissue • Endoderm: gut epithelium, liver, lung, pancreas However, pluripotent cells CANNOT form trophoblast cells (which form the placenta and extraembryonic membranes). Only totipotent cells can. Examples of pluripotent cells: • Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs): from inner cell mass of blastocyst • Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs): adult cells reprogrammed by Yamanaka factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc) Answer: Pluripotent stem cells differentiate into any of ~200 cell types from three germ layers but cannot form trophoblast (placenta).

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