Cell Differentiation
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Cell differentiation is the process in which stem cells become specialised cells in a multicellular organism.
About Cell Differentiation
- Cell differentiation takes place in the meristem of plants as well as in animal embryos.
- Embryonic stem cells can differentiate into any specialised cell in the organism.
- Adult stem cells can only differentiate into certain specific specialised cells. For example red blood cells and while blood cells are made from adult stem cells in the bone marrow in vertebrates.
References
AQA
Edexcel
- Cell differentiation, pages 29, 30, GCSE Combined Science, Pearson Edexcel
- Differentiation of cells, page 86, GCSE Biology, Pearson, Edexcel