AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Listen to pronunciation. (sel DIH-feh-REN-shee-AY-shun) The process during which young, immature (unspecialized) cells take on individual characteristics and reach their mature (specialized) form and function.

Detailed explanation-2: -A cell that can differentiate into all cell types of the adult organism is known as pluripotent. Such cells are called meristematic cells in higher plants and embryonic stem cells in animals, though some groups report the presence of adult pluripotent cells.

Detailed explanation-3: -Cell differentiation is known as a process in which cells become specialized. Pluripotency means the potential to become any cell type and is a potential observed in stem or progenitor cells at the beginning of the differentiation process.

Detailed explanation-4: -In order for a cell to differentiate into its specialized form and function, it need only manipulate those genes (and thus those proteins) that will be expressed, and not those that will remain silent. The primary mechanism by which genes are turned “on” or “off” is through transcription factors.

Detailed explanation-5: -Cell differentiation is the process of cells becoming specialized as their body develops. A stem cell is an unspecialized cell that can divide without limit as needed and can, under specific conditions, differentiate into specialized cells.