What is the difference between stem cells and differentiated cells?

Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into any cell type, while differentiated cells have a specific function.

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into any type of cell in the body. They are found in embryos, as well as in adult tissues such as bone marrow and adipose tissue. Stem cells can divide and differentiate into specialized cells such as muscle, nerve, or blood cells. This ability to differentiate into any cell type is what makes stem cells so valuable for medical research and treatment.

Differentiated cells, on the other hand, have already gone through the process of differentiation and have a specific function in the body. For example, muscle cells are specialized to contract and generate force, while nerve cells are specialized to transmit signals throughout the body. Differentiated cells are unable to change into other cell types, which limits their potential for medical applications.

In summary, stem cells have the unique ability to differentiate into any cell type, while differentiated cells have already undergone differentiation and have a specific function. Understanding the differences between these two types of cells is important for the development of new medical treatments and therapies.