Why are human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) considered 'pluripotent' rather than 'totipotent'?
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Correct answer: They cannot give rise to extraembryonic tissues like the trophoblast
hESCs are derived from the inner cell mass of the blastocyst. Although they can generate all three germ layers and therefore any somatic cell type, they have lost the ability to form extraembryonic structures such as the placenta, which is the hallmark of totipotency.
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