Why totipotent cell have totipotency?
differentiated cells have specific epigenetics. the epigenetics of a cell are the specific set of DNA modifications (methylations, acetylations, etc that either cover up, inhibit, or allow easier access to genes) that allow for only the small amount of genes needed for the cell’s duty to be performed to be transcribed into protein. Essentially, for a cell to become totipotent, it must be a “clean slate” so to speak. When a cell is totipotent, its nucleus is huge because the DNA is very expanded and unwound, and ready for orders (e.g. has no DNA modifications). Factors created by a cells surroundings (proteins secreted by other cells, just being in contact with other cells, being in contact with the environment: telling the cell what type of cell it should turn into) signal different modifications to be added to the DNA of this totipotent cell, which allows it to become any type of cell needed, given the correct signals. Slowly, but surely, the DNA is modified and folded up into a more
