Multipotent
Multipotent (pronunciation: /ˈmʌltɪˌpoʊtənt/) is a term used in Biology and Cell biology to describe a type of Stem cell that has the capacity to self-renew by dividing and to develop into multiple, but a limited number of cell types. The term is derived from the Latin words 'multi' meaning 'many' and 'potens' meaning 'powerful'.
Etymology
The term 'Multipotent' is derived from the Latin 'multi' meaning 'many' and 'potens' meaning 'powerful'. It was first used in the context of Cell biology to describe the potential of certain types of Stem cells.
Definition
In Cell biology, a Multipotent cell is a type of Stem cell that has the ability to self-renew by dividing and to differentiate into a limited number of cell types. For example, a multipotent Hematopoietic stem cell can give rise to several different types of blood cells, but cannot give rise to brain cells or muscle cells.
Related Terms
- Stem cell: A cell with the unique ability to develop into specialised cell types in the body.
- Pluripotent: A type of stem cell that can become almost any type of cell in the body.
- Totipotent: A type of stem cell that can develop into a new individual organism.
- Unipotent: A type of stem cell that can only develop into one type of cell.
- Hematopoietic stem cell: A type of multipotent stem cell that gives rise to all the different types of blood cells.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Multipotent
- Wikipedia's article - Multipotent
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