Final answer:
The replication process by which a stem cell gives rise to many specialized cells necessary for tissue repair is called cell differentiation. Multipotent stem cells have the ability to differentiate into a variety of specialized cells, which is a key aspect of stem cell research for regenerative medicine.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process by which a single stem cell gives rise to many cells needed for normal tissue repair is known as cell differentiation. Stem cells are unique because they can divide and either remain as stem cells or differentiate into a variety of specialized cells. These multipotent stem cells possess the ability to become different types of cells within a given lineage, such as forming red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets in the case of hematopoietic stem cells found in adult bone marrow.
Stem cell research is focused on harnessing the regenerative power of these cells to treat damaged tissues, with the potential for improving quality of life and even saving lives. Adult stem cells, like those found in bone marrow, skin, and other tissues, constantly regenerate and repair body tissues unlike most adult cells, which lose this ability due to aging and other factors.
Another example of this regeneration capability is seen in the epithelial stem cells that produce keratinocytes for the epidermis of the skin. The cloning of human embryos for embryonic stem cell production utilizes similar principles, although this application of stem cell technology is still in development stages.