Which of the following best describes the ability of cells to respond to a specific inducing signal?
Competence defines temporal window during which responding tissue possesses molecular apparatus to perceive and interpret an inductive cue. It involves expression of appropriate receptors, signal transducers such as Smads or beta-catenin and chromatin accessibility of target genes regulated by pioneer factors. For example, ectoderm competent to respond to BMP inhibition and adopt neural fate only before gastrulation; later same signal fails due to loss of competence. Potency is capacity to form multiple lineages, equivalence means cells equally potent, specification indicates reversible commit
Ref: Gilbert, Developmental Biology, 12th ed., Chapter 3: Competence and Temporal Responsiveness in Induction.
