totipotent
Can become anything
Totipotent describes a cell capable of developing into any cell type in an organism, including the embryo and its supporting structures like the placenta.
A fertilized egg is totipotent for its first few divisions.
The term distinguishes these most versatile cells from pluripotent ones, which can become many cell types but not all: Totipotent stem cells have the greatest developmental potential.
First embryonic cell
- morulaSolid embryonic cell mass
- blastomereEarly embryonic cell
- blastocystEarly developmental stage before implantation
- cleavageTendency to split cleanly
fertilization · gastrulation · embryogenesis · ectoderm · mesoderm · endoderm · oocyte · gastrula
Cell's developmental outcome
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- specializationConcentrated expertise in one field
- cell divisionParent splitting into offspring
mitosis · epigenetics · gene expression · chromatin · reprogramming · progenitor
Undifferentiated blastocyst-derived cellular material
- germlineHereditary cellular lineage
- cell therapyTreatment using transplanted cells
- blastocystEarly developmental stage before implantation
- cell cultureLaboratory technique for growing tissue
in vitro · cloning · Dolly · reprogramming
Permanently larval salamander
- salamanderTailed, moist-skinned amphibian
- planarianRegenerative freshwater flatworm
- tissue repairBiological wound healing process
- wound healingRestoration after injury
Without bounds or restrictions
- primordialExisting from the start
- uncommittedNot bound to anything
- plasticityAbility to change shape
- unrestrictedHaving no limitations
zygote
First embryonic cell
- morulaSolid embryonic cell mass
- blastomereEarly embryonic cell
- blastocystEarly developmental stage before implantation
cleavage · fertilization · gastrulation · embryogenesis · ectoderm · mesoderm · endoderm · oocyte · gastrula · organogenesis
cell fate
Cell's developmental outcome
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- specializationConcentrated expertise in one field
cell division · mitosis · epigenetics · gene expression · chromatin · reprogramming · progenitor
embryonic stem cells
Undifferentiated blastocyst-derived cellular material
- germlineHereditary cellular lineage
- cell therapyTreatment using transplanted cells
- blastocystEarly developmental stage before implantation
cell culture · in vitro · cloning · Dolly · reprogramming
axolotl
Permanently larval salamander
- salamanderTailed, moist-skinned amphibian
- planarianRegenerative freshwater flatworm
- tissue repairBiological wound healing process
wound healing · regrowth · renewal · starfish · hydra
unlimited
Without bounds or restrictions
- primordialExisting from the start
- uncommittedNot bound to anything
- plasticityAbility to change shape
totipotentspecialized
Adapted for particular function
committed · multipotent · determined · end-stage · pluripotent
potential, impotent, potency, impotence, omnipotent, potentiality, omnipotence, plenipotentiary, pluripotent