Some tissues, such as the mucosal surface of the gastrointestinal tract, have cells that are capable of cell division and serve as a reserve source for specialized cells. What term describes these specialized cells?

Stem cells.

Explanation:

Stem cells are the undifferentiated and unspecialized cells. These cells have the ability to divide for indefinite periods. Due to their ability to divide, these cells can give rise to specialized cells. Therefore, the cells present in the mucosal surface of the gastrointestinal tract that has the ability to give rise to specialized cells are stem cells. These cells are required to replace the damaged cells with the new functional cells.

Stem cells

Explanation:

Stem cells are the cells which can form many types of cell in the body therefore they are considered pluripotent. The stem cells can be of two types on the basis of the stage they are present that is - embryonic stem cell and the adult stem cell.

In the given question, the cells of the gastrointestinal tract which can undergo cell division and form specialised cells are known as stem cells due to their ability to form different cells and mostly they are located in the intestine.

Thus, Stem cell is the correct answer.