Table 1.

Types of stem cells on the basis of their action

Multipotent	Pluripotent	Totipotent	Unipotent
Comprise of all basic functions Unspecialized cells Capable of self-renewal for long durations Undergo differentiation to produce specialized cells Form limited quantities of differentiated diverse cells	Known as ‘True stem cells’ Ability to differentiate to form any kind of stem cell Capable of generating sparse, distinct cells inside the body	Capable of giving rise to any type of cell Have the same function in plants as those in animals Can be obtained from roots and shoots of growing tips Play an important role in growing diameter of trunks as well as branches of woody plants	Capable of differentiating only across one lineage Found in mature tissues and possess the lowest potential of differentiation Can differentiate into only a single type of cell Bear property of self-renewal