158: Application of cell totipotency

Evolution Material: Mutated Parasitic Vine Cells

Evolution Location Requirement: None

...And now, welcome to Li Wen's mini-lesson.

As we all know, plant cells possess a miraculous trait: totipotency.

So, what is cell totipotency?

Simply put, it means that a cell has the immense potential to develop into a complete plant, and this potential encompasses two important aspects: Growth and differentiation.

However, we can't help but wonder, since cells have such powerful totipotency, why do the cells we normally see on plants appear so stable?

Why don't they develop in a direction that exhibits cell totipotency, continuously growing into more plants?

The secret behind this lies in the unique meristematic tissue hierarchy of plants.

Based on the different origins of meristematic tissue, it can be divided into three major categories: promeristem, primary meristem, and secondary meristem.

If we use the profound concept from Laozi's Tao Te Ching, 'The Dao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to all things,' to explain it, then the promeristem is like that unique 'one.'

It corresponds to the highly vital and highly differentiated tissues in areas such as shoot tips and roots.

The reason it is called 'pro' is that these cells have not undergone any changes yet; they are the most primitive cells, closest to the state of a fertilized egg, closest to the starting point of life, and therefore the least differentiated part within the entire plant.

Next, let's look at the primary meristem, which is equivalent to the 'two' in the aforementioned concept.

That is to say, compared to the promeristem, the primary meristem has undergone more differentiation processes and is gradually moving towards achieving specific functions.

However, it still possesses cell totipotency, but its potential to form a complete plant is not as great as that of the promeristem.

Secondary meristem naturally echoes the number 'three,' because in ancient Chinese philosophical thought, there is the saying, 'three gives birth to all things.'

The 'all things' mentioned here actually refer to organs with relatively weaker differentiation capabilities. For example, leaves, flowers, and so on, all fall into this category.

Even organs like leaves, whose differentiation ability is almost negligible, can still potentially redevelop into a complete plant, as long as the dead cells are removed from them.

At this point, we must discuss a crucial concept: dedifferentiation.

Through the process of dedifferentiation, the original functionality of cells can be weakened, and their partial Growth and differentiation capabilities can be reawakened.

So, what exactly can induce cells to dedifferentiate?

One important factor is plant damage.

When a plant is injured, it activates its self-repair mechanism, causing some cells to enter a dedifferentiated state, which then forms a special structure called callus tissue.

This callus tissue has strong proliferative capabilities and can further differentiate into different types of cells, ultimately helping the damaged plant achieve regeneration and repair.

Therefore, given the current existence of such a unique Parasitic Vine, it is only necessary to cleverly guide it into an environment full of deathly pressure and patiently wait for it to mutate.

Afterward, select its leaves and other plant organs to carry out callus tissue cultivation. Theoretically, every cell can become an independent material source.

This evolution strategy will undoubtedly be recognized by the system panel; there is no doubt about that. However, the method used to successfully absorb these precious materials is somewhat special.

Because the absorption process must be completed through a wound, but since Bud Baby entered Growth, it seems to have never suffered a defeat.

And each time it was injured, it was either a minor injury or a severe injury on the verge of death.

By then, it would probably have to try an act called 'self-mutilation.'

Although he already had a clear conception and ideas in mind, he was not in a hurry to put them into practice at this moment.

Li Wen merely asked Lin Yan for permission to use the Parasitic Vine, then focused all his energy on managing the club.

Contracted Pet: Sleepless (Named)

attribute: Ghost/Thought

Species: Elite Advanced

growth level: Commander Limit

Energy Value: 350360

trait ①: Knowledgeable, ②: Knowledge Fusion

Taught Skills:

Low-Tier Skill: Skill ①: Adaptability (Proficient +1)

Mid-Tier Skills: Skill ①: Mental Burst (Proficient +1) Skill ②: Mental Shield (Mastered +6) Skill ③: Mirror Image Substitute (Proficient +1)

High-Tier Skill: Skill ①: Mental Weaving (Proficient +1)

Racial Skills:

Mid-Tier Skills: Skill ①: Wisdom Insight (Mastered +2) Skill ②: Mental Chess Pieces (Mastered +1) Skill ③: Ancient Tome Summon (Mastered +5) Skill ④: Strategic Layout (Mastered +7)

High-Tier Skill: Skill ①: Battlefield Swap

After a few days of adding points, this is roughly the latest data for Sleepless's panel.

All racial Skills are mastered, and all taught Skills except Mental Shield are proficient. As for why Mental Shield stands out, it's because Li Wen is afraid of death.

And after a few days of training, Sleepless also successfully comprehended a new Skill through its trait.

Skill: Battlefield Swap

Skill Level: High-Tier Skill

Skill Type: Active Skill

Skill Introduction:

In moments of battle or crisis, it can quickly and accurately swap the positions of current team members to respond to sudden changes.

Even Li Wen, when he witnessed the trait of Knowledge Fusion firsthand, couldn't help but be amazed.

This Skill, coupled with the unique advantage of not being restricted by attributes, means that even racial differences cannot affect it.

Such a powerful and rare double trait stacked together produces an unimaginable power, truly abnormal to the extreme!

Although it might be slightly inferior to the spatial Skills commonly recognized by people, it still belongs to the category of spatial Skills.

Therefore, in complex and ever-changing combat environments like multi-pet battles, the various clever tactics and dazzling maneuvers that can be employed are countless.

However, if it's just a simple one-on-one scenario, the role this Skill can play will be greatly reduced.

Li Wen's biggest regret was that these Skills were still too 'sunny' for him.

He hadn't come up with any 'dark' Skills to let his senior experience the respect from his junior.