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: -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-3: -Differentiation is the process by which unspecialized cells become specialized to carry out distinct functions. Stem Cells. A stem cell is an unspecialized cell that can divide without limit as needed and can, under specific conditions, differentiate into specialized cells.

Detailed explanation-4: -Cell specialization, also known as cell differentiation, is the process through which “generic” or “common” cells transform into specialized cells with defined tasks. Generic embryonic cells differentiate into specialized cells through cell differentiation.

Detailed explanation-5: -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.