How do stem cells differ from other cells?

Stem cells differ from other cells because they have the ability to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types.

Stem cells are unique in their capabilities compared to other cells in the body. They are unspecialised cells that have the potential to develop into many different cell types during early life and growth. This means they can divide and renew themselves over a long time, unlike other cells such as muscle or nerve cells which do not normally replicate themselves.

Stem cells also have the ability to differentiate, which means they can transform into a more specialised cell type. This is a crucial aspect of their function, as it allows them to replace cells that are lost or damaged. For example, if a person has a damaged liver, stem cells could potentially be used to grow new liver cells to replace the damaged ones.

There are two main types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells. Embryonic stem cells, as the name suggests, come from embryos and are pluripotent, meaning they can turn into more than 200 different types of cells in the body. Adult stem cells, on the other hand, are found in small quantities in most adult tissues, like bone marrow or fat. Unlike embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells are usually limited to differentiating into the types of cells found in the organ where they are located.

In summary, the key difference between stem cells and other cells lies in their ability to self-renew and differentiate into a wide range of cell types. This unique characteristic makes them a valuable tool in the field of regenerative medicine and offers promising possibilities for treating various diseases and injuries.