Cell specification, developmental potential, and induction

round 3 (kill me)

Fate map

Diagram showing the tissues embryonic cells normally produce during development

Potency

Range of developmental cell types a cell can produce under appropriate conditions

Totipotency

Capacity of a cell to generate an entire organism, including required extraembryonic tissues

Specification

Developmental state in which a cell follows a particular fate when isolated in a neutral environment

Determination

Developmental state in which a cell maintains its fate even when placed in a different embryonic environment

Differentiation

Process through which cells acquire specialized structures and functions

Competence

Ability of a cell or tissue to respond to a particular developmental signal

Embryonic induction

Process in which one tissue influences the developmental fate of another through signaling

Autonomous specification

Cell-fate specification primarily controlled by inherited intracellular determinants

Conditional specification

Cell-fate specification that depends on interactions and signals from surrounding cells

Regulative development

Development in which cells can adjust their fates to compensate for experimental disturbances

Nuclear developmental potential

Capacity of a nucleus to support different developmental programs when placed in an appropriate cellular environment