Planarian regeneration proliferative cells
Neoblast distribution |
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Distribution of Neoblasts in the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. Neoblasts are found throughout the body, except for the pharynx (blue arrow) and the head tip. Neoblasts are labeled in red. Green labeling shows neoblasts in division. |
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Gives rise to | Blastema |
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Anatomical terminology |
Neoblasts (ˈniːəʊˌblæst) are adult stem cells found in planarian flatworms. They are the only dividing planarian cells, and they produce all cell types, including the germline.[1][2] Neoblasts are abundant in the planarian parenchyma, and comprise up to 30 percent of all cells.[1] Following injury, neoblasts rapidly divide and generate new cells, which allows planarians to regenerate any missing tissue.[1]