Students should be able to explain the importance of cell differentiation.
As an organism develops, cells differentiate to form different types of cells.
- Most types of animal cell differentiate at an early stage.
- Many types of plant cells retain the ability to differentiate throughout life.
In mature animals, cell division is mainly restricted to repair and replacement. As a cell differentiates it acquires different sub-cellular structures to enable it to carry out a certain function. It has become a specialised cell.