Video Transcript
What scientific term is given to
the process where cells become specialized for a particular function?
Here are some familiar examples of
specialized cells found in the human body. They all have specific adaptations
which make them well suited to carrying out a particular role. For example, red blood cells have
no nuclei so they can pack in more oxygen-carrying hemoglobin.
But our cells weren’t always
specialized. In fact, they all began life as a
type of unspecialized cell known as a stem cell. Stem cells are not adapted and have
the potential to develop into any body cell type.
How does this happen? During development, different
regions of the embryo will be exposed to different transcription factors. These are just proteins that
determine which genes will be expressed in a particular cell. Depending on what transcription
factor, or combination of transcription factors, a cell is exposed to, it will
develop into a different cell type.
A cell which has become specialized
is known as a differentiated cell. So the process by which cells
become specialized for a particular function is known as differentiation.
