Cells that have limited potential to develop into many types of differentiated cells are classified as?

The classification of cells based on their differentiation potential is key within developmental biology and regenerative medicine. Cells that are described as multipotent have a limited ability to differentiate into multiple cell types, but not all. This means they can develop into a variety of cells that are typically related to a specific tissue type or organ.

For instance, hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow are a classic example of multipotent stem cells. They can differentiate into various types of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, but they cannot form cells outside of the blood system, such as nerve cells or liver cells.

This distinction is important as it shows how multipotent cells play a specific role in tissue regeneration and maintenance, while other cell types like pluripotent cells can develop into nearly any cell type in the body, and totipotent cells have the potential to form any cell type, including those that make up an entire organism. Thus, identifying multipotent cells helps in understanding their functional roles and potential applications in medicine.