Unspecialized cells from which differentiated cells develop are known as what?

Unspecialized cells from which differentiated cells develop are known as what?

• A. Stem cells
• B. Genes
• C. Hybrids
• D. Traits

Answer: (A)

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can divide and differentiate into the various specialized cell types that make up tissues and organs. They serve as the source for growth, development, and tissue repair, with embryonic stem cells having the potential to become any cell type and adult stem cells giving rise to a limited set of related cell types. This fits the description perfectly because it’s describing a kind of cell, not a gene, a hybrid, or a trait. Genes are instructions for building proteins, hybrids refer to mixed organisms or cells, and traits are inherited characteristics—none of which are unspecialized cells capable of becoming multiple cell types.

Stem cells are unspecialized cells that can divide and differentiate into the various specialized cell types that make up tissues and organs. They serve as the source for growth, development, and tissue repair, with embryonic stem cells having the potential to become any cell type and adult stem cells giving rise to a limited set of related cell types. This fits the description perfectly because it’s describing a kind of cell, not a gene, a hybrid, or a trait. Genes are instructions for building proteins, hybrids refer to mixed organisms or cells, and traits are inherited characteristics—none of which are unspecialized cells capable of becoming multiple cell types.