Totipotency Flashcards
1
Q
Definition of totipotent cells
A
> Cells in a fertilised egg that have the ability to give rise to any cell in the body
2
Q
What type of cells are totipotent cells?
A
> Early embryonic cells are totipotent until they differentiate and become specialised for a function
3
Q
Examples of totipotent cells that have differentiated and become specialised
A
> Mesophyll cells that have become specialised for photosynthesis
> Muscle cells that have become specialised for muscle contraction
4
Q
How is gene expression controlled?
A
> Preventing transcription, so preventing the production of mRNA and thus preventing translation
