cell differentiation 1.1.4

• differentiation is the process by which a cell changes to become specialised for its job
• as cells change, they develop different subcellular structures and turn into different types of cells to allow it to carry out specific functions
• most differentiation occurs as an organism develops
• in most animal cells, the ability to differentiate is then lost at an early stage, after they become specialised
• however, many types of plant cells retain the ability to differentiate through its life
• the cells that differentiate in mature animals are mainly used for repairing and replacing cells, such as skin or blood cells
• once a cell differentiates, it becomes specialised