Question

Determined Specified Fated Differentiated

Which of the above terms has the leastdevelopmental potential? and why

Answer 1

Differentiated status is the terminal state of a cell in its life cycle. It is destined to perform a specific function. Sometimes, differentiated cells are fixed in their location (Ex: eye cells), sometimes not (ex: RBC).

A cell originates from a pluripotent progenitor cell which can develop into any kind of cell depending upon the developmental and environmental signals. A differentiated cell contains the least developmental potential as it is not going to divide (rather rarely divides). Even if it divides also, it will produce the same kind of cell. All the developmental signals perceived by the cell makes it irreversible undergo a developmental phase change.

However, few differentiated cells (such as secondary meristem in plants) can undergo dedifferentiation to acquire actively dividing undifferentiated status.