When a stem cell in the crypt divides, what are its immediate daughter cells?

In the context of stem cell biology, particularly in the intestinal crypts, when a stem cell divides, it typically does so asymmetrically. This means that one of the daughter cells retains stem cell properties, while the other differentiates into a different type of cell.

The immediate daughter cells produced from the division of a stem cell in the intestinal crypt typically include another stem cell and a transit amplifying cell. The transit amplifying cell is a progenitor cell that will continue to divide and eventually differentiate into more specialized cell types such as enterocytes, goblet cells, or enteroendocrine cells as they migrate up through the crypt and into the villi of the intestine.

This pattern of division is crucial because it maintains the stem cell population while also producing differentiated cells necessary for gut function and maintenance. The presence of another stem cell ensures that there is a constant source of progenitor cells to replenish the epithelium, which has a high turnover due to the harsh conditions of the gut.

Other choices incorrectly suggest that the daughter cells are either both transit amplifying cells or include differentiated cell types such as goblet cells or enterocytes right after division, which isn't consistent with the typical lineage progression stemming from stem cells.