Final answer:
A single cell that divides to form layers is characterized as pluripotent, which means it can differentiate into any type of human tissue but cannot support the development of an organism on its own.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic of a single cell that divides to form layers is that it is pluripotent. Pluripotent stem cells are capable of differentiating into any type of human tissue, except for supporting the full development of an organism on their own. These cells represent an early stage of cell differentiation and are critical in the process of forming the various tissues and organs in the body. As they become more specialized, pluripotent stem cells give rise to multipotent cells, which are capable of differentiating into multiple, but not all, cell types within a particular lineage.
In order of increasing specialization, the levels of potency are: pluripotency, multipotency, oligopotency, and unipotency. Thus, a single cell that can divide to form the fundamental tissue layers is best described as pluripotent.