Question

A trait unique to embryonic stem cells that makes them useful for generating knockout animals is that they:

a) Have been isolated from mice.
b) Can be grown in culture.
c) Are neomycin resistant.
d) Are extremely well characterized at the molecular level.
e) Are totipotent.

Answer 1

Totipotent embryonic stem cells are unique in their ability to differentiate into any cell type, which is essential for creating knockout animals as they ensure the genetic modification is present throughout the organism.

Step-by-step explanation:

A trait unique to embryonic stem cells that makes them useful for generating knockout animals is that they are totipotent. Totipotent stem cells have the potential to differentiate into any of the cells needed for an organism to grow and develop. These are the first embryonic cells that arise from the division of the zygote and are the ultimate stem cells because of their unlimited differentiation potential. Totipotent cells are unique amongst stem cells as they can give rise to all cell types of the body, as well as extra-embryonic, or placental, cells. This capability is fundamental for techniques that create knockout animals, as the totipotent cells can be manipulated genetically and then contribute to every cell lineage of the developing animal, including its germ cells, ensuring that the genetic modification is present throughout the organism.