Totipotentteja

Totipotentteja refers to cells with the potential to differentiate into all cell types of a complete organism, including extraembryonic tissues such as the placenta. In animals, totipotency is a property of the zygote and the earliest embryonic blastomeres, up to about the 8-cell stage in many species. After this stage, cells typically become pluripotent, capable of forming all body cell types but not extraembryonic tissues.

In plants, totipotency describes the ability of a single differentiated cell to regenerate an entire plant under suitable conditions. This principle underpins tissue culture, micropropagation, and genetic engineering, allowing multiplication of desirable genotypes from small tissue samples. Plant totipotency is widespread and forms the basis for many agricultural and biotechnological techniques.

In research and medicine, totipotency helps illuminate early developmental processes. Because totipotent cells are naturally limited to the earliest stages of embryos, scientists study their properties indirectly. In laboratory contexts, researchers often explore pluripotent states or totipotent-like states to understand lineage specification and developmental potential. Ethical and regulatory considerations surround work with human embryos and embryo-like cells, guiding what types of experiments are permissible and under what conditions.

See also totipotency, pluripotency, and embryonic development.