AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The process during which young, immature (unspecialized) cells take on individual characteristics and reach their mature (specialized) form and function.

Detailed explanation-2: -To summarise: Unspecialized cells become specialised by external stimuli that alter gene expression-turn some genes on and some off. Following transcription and production of the mRNA, translation produces proteins that are able to determine the cell’s structure hence function.

Detailed explanation-3: -Stem cells are unspecialized cells of the human body. They are able to differentiate into any cell of an organism and have the ability of self-renewal. Stem cells exist both in embryos and adult cells.

Detailed explanation-4: -Stem cell differentiation involves the changing of a cell to a more specialized cell type, involving a switch from proliferation to specialization. This involves a succession of alterations in cell morphology, membrane potential, metabolic activity and signal responsiveness.