Cell differentiation and specialisation

• 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. This allows them to carry out specific functions
• Most differentiation occurs as an organism develops. In most animal cell, the ability to differentiate is then lost at an early stage, after they become specialised. Lot's of plan cells don't ever lose this ability
• The cells that differentiate in mature animals are mainly used for repairing and replacing cells, such as skin or blood cells
• Some cells are undifferentiated cells - called stem cells
• Examples of specialised cells:

  • sperm cells
  • muscle cells
  • phoem cells
  • xylem cells
  • nerve cells
  • root hair cells