Animal cells

• Cell differentiation is the process where a cell develops new sub-cellular structures (structures inside a cell) to let it perform a specific function. When this happens, the cell becomes specialised.
• Embryos

  • Cell differentiation happens during an organism’s development.
  • Organisms start as one cell.
  • These cells divide to form embryos that differentiate (specialise) to produce cells that can perform all of the body's functions.
• Plants

  • Many plant cells keep their ability to differentiate throughout their life.
  • Because of this, plants are always able to create new tissues (matter that animals and plants are made from).
• Adult animals

  • Cell differentiation is rare in mature (adult) animals.
  • Their cells mostly divide (one cell splits to create two cells) in order to replace cells and repair tissues.
  • New tissues are rarely created.