What type of cells are capable of differentiating into specialized cells?

Stem cells are a unique type of cell characterized by their ability to differentiate into various specialized cell types. This unique capability makes them crucial for growth, development, and the repair of tissues in multicellular organisms. Unlike somatic cells, which are fully differentiated and perform specific functions related to their tissue type, stem cells retain the potential to evolve into different types of cells, depending on the signals they receive from their environment.

This differentiation process allows stem cells to transform into any cell type, such as muscle cells, nerve cells, or blood cells, enabling them to play a vital role in maintaining the body's ability to heal and regenerate. In contrast, prokaryotic cells, which include bacteria, do not possess the same regulatory mechanisms for differentiation and are generally more simplistic in structure and function. Gametes, which are reproductive cells, are specialized for the purpose of reproduction and typically do not revert to a form that can differentiate into other cell types.