What is a key feature of determinate cleavage?

Determinate cleavage is a type of embryonic development where the fate of each cell is determined early in the cleavage stage. In other words, unlike in indeterminate cleavage, where individual cells can develop into a complete organism regardless of the stage of development, in determinate cleavage, each cell has a specific role that it will play in the developing organism. This feature ensures that the cells are committed to developing into particular tissues or organs, which is crucial for the organization and specialization that occurs during the later stages of development.

The other options do not accurately describe this process. The potential for cells to differentiate into any type of tissue is more characteristic of indeterminate cleavage. The statement regarding longer embryonic development is not inherently linked to determinate cleavage; the length of embryonic development can depend on various other factors. Additionally, determinate cleavage is not specifically a feature associated with plant embryos, as this type of cleavage is primarily observed in certain animal groups, particularly in some protostomes.