During the development of a multicellular organisms, which cells are totipotent? Select all of the answers that apply

A

the fertilized egg and the cells produced by the first few cell divisions

B. all cells of the blastocyst, which is a hollow ball of cells and an early embryonic stage

C. the germ layers of later embryonic stages

D. certain cells in the growing regions of the adult organism

Question

Leroy Young

Biology

20 March, 18:00

During the development of a multicellular organisms, which cells are totipotent? Select all of the answers that apply

A

the fertilized egg and the cells produced by the first few cell divisions

B. all cells of the blastocyst, which is a hollow ball of cells and an early embryonic stage

C. the germ layers of later embryonic stages

D. certain cells in the growing regions of the adult organism

+3

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Douglas Spears · Answer 1

A. the fertilized egg and the cells produced by the first few cell divisions

Explanation:

Totipotent cells are those cells in developmental stage of multicellular organisms which can give rise to any part of the organism. It can give rise to both the placenta and the embryo.

After the fertilization, the cells produced in first few divisions are totipotent. This stage is also called as morulla stage. Once blastocyst stage is reached, totipotency is lost. All the cells of blastocyst are not totipotent. The inner cell mass of blastocyst is pluripotent which means it can give rise to the entire embryo except placenta. The trophoblast layer of blastocyst can only produce placenta.