Question

exam lesson name: the cell and its processes
exam number: 700942rr
exam guidelines
exam instructions
question 18 of 20 :
select the best answer for the question.

1. a future offspring has just been conceived. when does it have the highest level of potency?

a. unipotency
b. multipotency
c. totipotency
d. pluripotency
mark for review (will be highlighted on the review page)
<< previous question
next question >>

Explanation:

To determine the highest potency level of a newly conceived offspring, we analyze each option:

• Option A (Unipotency): Cells with unipotency can only differentiate into one cell type, so this is the lowest potency level.
• Option B (Multipotency): Multipotent cells can differentiate into a limited number of cell types (e.g., stem cells in bone marrow), but it is not the highest.
• Option C (Totipotency): Totipotent cells (like the zygote and early blastomeres) can differentiate into any cell type in the body and extra - embryonic tissues (e.g., placenta). This is the highest level of potency as it has the broadest differentiation potential.
• Option D (Pluripotency): Pluripotent cells (e.g., embryonic stem cells) can differentiate into any cell type in the body but not extra - embryonic tissues, so their potency is less than totipotent cells.

Since the offspring is just conceived (starting as a zygote), it has totipotency, the highest level of potency.

Answer:

C. Totipotency