Noun

1. A primal undifferentiated cell from which a variety of other cells can develop through the process of cellular differentiation.
   • 2002, Haifan Lin, "The stem-cell niche theory: Lessons from flies," Nature Reviews: Genetics, vol 3, p. 931,

     Stem cells are characterized by their ability to self-renew and to produce numerous differentiated cell types, and are directly responsible for generating and maintaining tissues and organs.