pluripotent
Meaning of pluripotent: Pluripotent describes a cell capable of developing into nearly any specialized cell type found in the body.
Definition of pluripotent
Pluripotent describes a cell that has the capacity to develop into nearly any of the specialized cell types found in the body, though not into the cells of a placenta or supporting structures needed to form a complete organism. Pluripotent cells arise early in development and give rise to the cells that will go on to become distinct organs and tissues.
Pluripotent stem cells are studied for their potential to generate specific cell types for research and for possible use in treating disease, since their broad developmental capacity allows them, in principle, to be directed toward many different specialized cell fates under appropriate conditions. As development proceeds, cells generally become more restricted in what they can become, a process described as differentiation.
Pluripotent is distinct from totipotent, which describes an even earlier, more flexible cell capable of forming an entire organism, including supporting tissues.
Used in a sentence
The laboratory study used pluripotent stem cells to generate a specific type of tissue for research.
Good to know
Pluripotent cells can form nearly any specialized cell type but not the supporting structures of an organism, which distinguishes them from the more broadly capable totipotent cells found earlier in development.
Word origin
Where “pluripotent” comes from
Formed from Latin plus, pluris, meaning "more," and potens, meaning "powerful" or "able."