Question

Cellular totipotency was first demonstrated by
a) F.C. Steward
b) Robert Hooke
c) T. Schwann
d) A.V. Leeuwenhoek

Answer 1

Totipotent cells are those cells that are formed from the pre-existing cells by the process of cell division. The cells totipotency is a process in which the cells are able to divide and then can lead to the formation of differentiated cells and later on change into an organism.

Complete answer:
The cellular totipotency was first demonstrated by the F.C. Steward. He was the first professor who helped out in laying the foundation of the tissue culture and genetic engineering of the plant crop variety. This demonstration was done by the professor in the 1950's. Cellular totipotency is a phenomenon in which the cells exhibit the ability to divide themselves and then they are able to form the differentiated organs. These organs then lead to the formation of the whole organism. The plant cells are considered to be highly potent as they can yield a whole plant body by keeping the cells in the in-vitro conditions and allowing them to grow in the lab. These totipotent cells have the special ability of not losing their potency and they keep on dividing themselves. This technique has helped in the formation of highly disease-resistant plant varieties but it is difficult to yield animals from these totipotent cells in laboratories.

So, the answer is ‘F.C. Steward’.

Note:
The term totipotency means ‘ability for all’ and is derived from the Latin word. The cellular totipotency can be differentiated into three different categories which include pluripotent stem cells, multipotent stem cells, and unipotent stem cells.