Question

Plant cell totipotency refers to

• A. Ability to divide only
• B. Ability to photosynthesize
• C. Ability to mutate
• D. Ability to form a whole plant

Hint:

Remember: \[ \boxed{\text{Totipotency}=\text{One Cell}\rightarrow\text{Entire Plant}} \] This property is unique to plant cells and forms the basis of plant tissue culture.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Concept: Totipotency is the unique ability of a living plant cell to regenerate into a complete plant under suitable culture conditions. This concept forms the foundation of plant tissue culture and micropropagation. The concept of cellular totipotency was proposed by Gottlieb Haberlandt.

Step 1: Understand totipotency.
Every living plant cell contains the complete genetic information required to produce an entire plant. Under appropriate nutrients and plant growth regulators, a single cell can undergo repeated divisions and differentiation. \[ \boxed{\text{Single Plant Cell} \longrightarrow \text{Whole Plant}} \]

Step 2: Importance in biotechnology.
Totipotency is used in:
• Micropropagation
• Somatic embryogenesis
• Genetic engineering
• Production of disease-free plants

Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options.

• Cell division alone is not totipotency.
• Photosynthesis is unrelated.
• Mutation is not a defining feature.
• Formation of a complete plant defines totipotency. Final Answer: \[ \boxed{Option (D) is correct \]