Question

Which of the following best describes totipotency of a plant cell?

• A. Ability to divide and differentiate into a single cell type
• B. Ability to divide and differentiate to form an entire organism
• C. Ability to continuously divide without any cell cycle regulation
• D. Ability to divide and differentiate into a few specific cell types

Answer 1

The correct option is B Ability to divide and differentiate to form an entire organism

Totipotency refers to the ability of a cell to divide and differentiate into any cell type, such that it can give rise to an entire organism. Meristematic plant cells are totipotent in nature.

In plant tissue culture, the cells of the explant undergo de-differentiation (loses its function and start dividing) when put in the culture media and forms callus (undefferentiated mass of cells). Callus is totipotent in nature and can be induced to produce shoots and roots by subjecting them to specific growth hormone concentrations. Thus they form plantlets.

The tiny plantlets formed can grow into an entire plant when placed in a field. This ability of plant cells (totipotency) make it easy for breeders in fast vegetative propagation of improved crop varieties by tissue culture.

Ability of a cell to divide and differentiate into a single cell type is known as unipotency.

Ability of a cell to divide and differentiate into a few specific cell types is known oligopotency.

A cell acquires the ability to continuously divide without any cell cycle regulation when it becomes tumerous.