totipotency
/ˌtoʊtɪˈpoʊtənsi/
noun
- The ability of a cell, especially a stem cell, to develop into any type of cell in the body.
- Researchers hope to harness totipotency in stem cells to repair damaged organs.
- The totipotency of certain plant cells allows a small cutting to grow into an entire new plant.
- Scientists study totipotency to understand how a single fertilized egg can grow into a complex organism.