Stem cells are cells that divide by mitosis to form either

How the choice is made is still unknown. However, several genes have been found whose activity prevents a daughter cell from differentiating.

The only totipotent cells are the fertilized egg and the first 4 or so cells produced by its cleavage (as shown by the ability of mammals to produce identical twins, triplets, etc.).

In mammals, the expression totipotent stem cells is a misnomer totipotent cells cannot make more of themselves.

Three types of pluripotent stem cells occur naturally:

All three of these types of pluripotent stem cells

In mice and rats, embryonic stem cells can also:

Using genetic manipulation in the laboratory, pluripotent stem cells can now be generated from differentiated cells. These induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are described below.

Multipotent stem cells are found in adult animals; perhaps most organs in the body (e.g., brain, liver, lungs) contain them where they can replace dead or damaged cells. These adult stem cells may also be the cells that when one accumulates sufficient mutations produce a clone of cancer cells.

Examples:

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induced pluripotent stem cells - RCN Corporation