progenitors

Progenitor is a term used to denote a source or origin from which something else originates. It is often applied to living beings, objects, or processes that precede and give rise to subsequent forms or events. The word derives from Latin and conveys the idea of an ancestor or forebear.

In biology, a progenitor cell is a cell that is committed to a particular developmental lineage and can give rise to a limited set of mature cell types. Progenitors are more specialized and have a restricted capacity for self-renewal compared with stem cells. Examples include hematopoietic progenitors that produce blood cells and neural progenitors that generate neurons and glia. Progenitor cells arise within developmental tissues and reside in niches where signaling cues regulate their proliferation and differentiation. The term is also used in medical and research contexts to describe cells that initiate tissue repair or contribute to disease progression, including cancer-propagating or tumor progenitor cells.

In astronomy, a progenitor refers to a star or stellar object before a major explosive event such as a supernova. Identifying progenitors from archival observations helps scientists understand the final stages of stellar evolution and the mechanisms driving the explosion. The concept is also extended to precursor astronomical objects that represent an earlier phase toward a more developed state.