Critical Juncture of Animal's Lifecycle

The shift from egg cell to embryo is a critical juncture in any animal's lifecycle. This transition represents the formal initiation of development-a remarkably dynamic process that ultimately transforms a differentiated, committed oocyte to a totipotent cell capable of giving rise to any cell type in the body. Induction of totipotency (as well as the pluripotency characteristic of embryonic stem cells) requires dramatic changes in gene expression. ...