If cells from the presumptive neural ectoderm of a frog gastrula are transplanted onto the surface of a second gastrula where skin would normally develop, the transplanted cells will still develop into tissues of the nervous system. This experiment shows that the transplanted cells are
A) differentiated.
B) totipotent.
C) discontinuous.
D) determined.
E) endodermal.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The experiment demonstrates that the transplanted cells are determined, meaning that they have already committed to a specific fate and will develop into nervous tissues regardless of their new environment. This indicates that the cells have undergone a process of determination, during which they differentiate to become neural ectoderm cells. Totipotency refers to the potential of a cell to develop into any type of cell in the body, which is not demonstrated by this experiment. Discontinuous and endodermal are not relevant to this experiment.

If Cells from the Presumptive Neural Ectoderm of a Frog