The fertilized egg is totipotent, whereas the cells from the inner cell mass, called embryonic stem cells, are pluripotent. Only the embryonic stem cells can give rise to the entire organism.

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The fertilized egg (zygote) is totipotent, meaning it has the potential to give rise to the entire organism, including all the different cell types and the placenta. Embryonic stem cells, derived from the inner cell mass, are pluripotent, meaning they can give rise to nearly all cell types but not an entire organism on their own, as they lack the ability to form the extraembryonic structures like the placenta.

The Fertilized Egg Is Totipotent, Whereas the Cells from the Inner