What type of cells have the ability to develop into any kind of body cell?

Stem cells are unique in their ability to differentiate into various types of specialized cells within the body. This characteristic makes them pivotal in developmental biology and regenerative medicine. There are two main types of stem cells: embryonic stem cells, which can develop into any type of cell in the body (pluripotent), and adult stem cells, which are more limited in their differentiation potential but can still give rise to several cell types within a specific tissue or organ (multipotent).

In contrast, muscle cells, nerve cells, and epithelial cells are already specialized types of cells with distinct functions and characteristics. Once these cells have matured and differentiated, they typically cannot revert back to a stem cell state or develop into different cell types. Therefore, while they play crucial roles in bodily functions, they do not possess the ability to transform into any other body cell like stem cells do.