What can totipotent stem cells differentiate into?

Totipotent stem cells have the unique ability to differentiate into any cell type within an organism and can also form the structures necessary for developing a complete organism, such as the placenta. This characteristic sets them apart from other types of stem cells, which may have more limited differentiation potential. For example, pluripotent stem cells can give rise to nearly all cell types but cannot develop into a whole organism because they lack the ability to form extraembryonic tissues. Thus, the defining feature of totipotent stem cells is their capacity to entirely develop into a fully functional organism when provided with the necessary environments and signals. This makes them critical in early developmental stages, immediately following fertilization.