Embryonic stem cells have the potential to differentiate into all cell types whereas adult stem cells have a more limited potential and can only differentiate into cell types that are similar to the tissue their taken from.

Both adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells have the potential to differentiate into all cell types.

Both embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells have a more limited potential and can only differentiate into cell types that are similar to the tissue their taken from.

Adult stem cells have the potential to differentiate into all cell types whereas embryo stem cells have a more limited potential and can only differentiate into cell types that are similar to the tissue their taken from.

Growth

Repair

Production of hormones

Muscle contraction

Nerve transmissions

Found in the root and shoot tips.

Found in the tissue of adults and children including the brain, skin and bone marrow.

Found in the inner cell mass of early embryos around 4-5 days old.

Found in the tissue of adults and children including the brain, skin and bone marrow.

Found in the root and shoot tips.

Found in the inner cell mass of early embryos around 4-5 days old.

Growth

Self-renewal

Unspecialised

Embryonic stem cells

Adult stem cells

They can replicate themselves.

They can grow in size.

They explode.

They can differentiate into many cell types.

Stem cells

Meristems

Shoot

Root

Found in root and shoot tips

Found in the tissue of adults and children including the brain, skin and bone marrow.

Found in the inner cell mass of early embryos around 4-5 days old.

Bone marrow transplants

Cornea repair

Depression

Skin grafts

Parkinsons

Alzheimers

Stress

C

B

A