totipotent cell

(′tōd·ə′pōt·ent ′sel)

(embryology) A cell capable of differentiating into every type of cell found in an organism, and of forming the entire organism.

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In about 1953 scientists found that all cells are comprised of the same genetic structure and have the ability to change to another type of cell. This discovery led scientists to predict that cells are totipotent, which F. C. Steward (1904-1993) confirmed in plant cells. In the late 1950s, through research conducted at Cornell University, Steward was able to show that small pieces of carrot tissue could dedifferentiate (revert back to an unspecialized form) and then grow into specialized plant cell types.

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