totipotency

Examples of totipotency in the following topics:

• Sperm

  • After fusion with egg cells during fertilization, a new organism forms, beginning as a totipotent zygote.

• Mechanics of Cellular Differentation

  • The first embryonic cells that arise from the division of the zygote are the ultimate stem cells; these stems cells are described as totipotent because they have the potential to differentiate into any of the cells needed to enable an organism to grow and develop.
  • The embryonic cells that develop from totipotent stem cells and are precursors to the fundamental tissue layers of the embryo are classified as pluripotent.

• Gene Expression in Stem Cells

  • The pathway that is taken to produced specialized cells included: the embryonic cells develop from totipotent cells, to pluripotent cells which undergo differentiation and become more specialized.
  • Only cells from an earlier stage of the embryo, known as the morula, are totipotent, able to become all tissues in the body and the extraembryonic placenta.