Why is the fertilized egg considered totipotent,while the cells of the inner cell mass (ICM)are pluripotent?
A)The egg produces all cells of the embryo and the extra-embryonic tissues,while the ICM form only cells of the embryo.
B)The egg produces only the cells of the embryo,while the ICM will form all the cells of the extra-embryonic tissues.
C)The egg produces only the cells of the extra-embryonic tissues,while the ICM produces both the embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fertilized egg is totipotent because it has the ability to differentiate into all cells of the embryo and extra-embryonic tissues, including placental cells. The cells of the inner cell mass (ICM) are pluripotent, meaning they can differentiate into all of the cells of the embryo, but not the extra-embryonic tissues. This is because the ICM forms only the cells of the embryo, while the trophoblast cells attached to the outer surface of the ICM will form the extra-embryonic tissues.

Why Is the Fertilized Egg Considered Totipotent,while the Cells of the Inner