Totipotent cells are cells that have the ability to divide and produce all the differentiated cells in an organism, including both embryonic and extraembryonic cells. They are the most potent cells in the spectrum of cell potency, being able to differentiate into any embryonic cell, as well as any extraembryonic cell. Examples of totipotent cells include spores and zygotes. Embryonic cells within the first couple of cell divisions after fertilization are the only cells that are totipotent.

In contrast, pluripotent cells can give rise to all of the cell types that make up the body, but not the extraembryonic cells. Embryonic stem cells are considered pluripotent. Multipotent cells can develop into more than one cell type, but are more limited than pluripotent cells. Adult stem cells and cord blood stem cells are considered multipotent.

Totipotent cells are important in early embryonic development, as they have the ability to differentiate into all the cell types needed to form a complete organism. They are also of interest to researchers studying stem cells and regenerative medicine, as they have the potential to be used to generate any cell type in the body.