Do all living things contain stem cells ?Meta AIStem Cells: A Universal Component of Life?Stem cells are a type of cell that has the ability to differentiate into various cell types in the body. While they play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of living organisms, not all living things contain stem cells.In Animals:In animals, stem cells are found in both embryonic and adult stages.Embryonic stem cells help form the body's tissues and organs during development.Adult stem cells, also known as somatic stem cells, are found in adult tissues and play a role in tissue maintenance and repair.In Plants:Plants have stem cells too! They are found in the meristematic tissue, which is responsible for plant growth and development.Plant stem cells can differentiate into various cell types, such as root, stem, and leaf cells.In Fungi and Protists:Fungi, like mushrooms, have stem cells that help them grow and develop.Protists, a group of eukaryotic microorganisms, also contain stem cells.Exceptions:Some single-celled organisms, like bacteria and archaea, do not have stem cells. They reproduce by dividing into identical daughter cells.Viruses, which are not considered living cells, do not contain stem cells either.In summary, while stem cells are a vital component of many living organisms, not all living things contain them. The presence of stem cells is a characteristic of complex, multicellular organisms, and even some single-celled organisms, but not all life forms.
Prof V: Stem cells may have potentially existed in early complex life forms Grypania spiralis as far back as 2.1 billion years (source wired.com).