The undifferentiated stem cells
All stem cells have three general properties: ⠀
i) They are capable of dividing and renewing themselves for long periods ⠀
ii) They are unspecialized (e.g. they can’t transport oxygen molecules like red blood cells) & ⠀
iii) They can give rise to specialized cell types (through the process called differentiation). ⠀
Stem cells remain undifferentiated until certain physiological cues (physical or chemical cues) signal their differentiation.
References
National Institutes of Health (NIH) “Stem Cell Basics” (8 Apr 2015)
Stem Cells Portal “What Are The Unique Properties Of All Stem Cells?” (10 Aug 2009)
“Stem cells: past, present, and future” Stem Cell Research & Therapy (26 Feb 2019)
“The Science of Stem Cells” John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (17 Nov 2017)