A Level Biology Practice Exam

What is a characteristic of pluripotent stem cells?

1. They can differentiate into any type of cell

2. They can form a whole organism

3. They can only form blood cells

4. They are fully specialized cells

The correct answer is: They can differentiate into any type of cell

Pluripotent stem cells are defined by their ability to differentiate into nearly all types of cells found in the body, making the characteristic of being able to differentiate into any type of cell the correct answer. This versatility means that they can give rise to cell types from all three germ layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. The other options do not accurately describe pluripotent stem cells. For example, forming a whole organism is a characteristic of totipotent stem cells, which can develop into any cell type and also create the extraembryonic tissues necessary for development, unlike pluripotent cells that cannot form extraembryonic structures. The statement about only forming blood cells pertains to multipotent stem cells, which have a more limited differentiation potential compared to pluripotent cells. Finally, stating that pluripotent stem cells are fully specialized cells contradicts their fundamental nature, as fully specialized cells cannot differentiate into other cell types.