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Related Concept Videos

Determination01:51

Determination

During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In contrast, determination...
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype02:27

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
iPS Cell Differentiation01:22

iPS Cell Differentiation

The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
Forced Transdifferentiation01:28

Forced Transdifferentiation

Transdifferentiation, also known as lineage reprogramming, was first discovered by Selman and Kafatos in 1974 in silkmoths. They observed that the moths’ cuticle-producing cells transformed into salt-producing cells. Many such cases of natural transdifferentiation occur in organisms. In humans, pancreatic alpha cells can become beta cells. In newts, the loss of the eye’s lens causes the pigmented epithelial cells to transdifferentiate into the lens cells.
Artificial transdifferentiation occurs...
Cell Diversity01:13

Cell Diversity

The concept of a cell started with microscopic observations of dead cork tissue by Robert Hooke in 1665. Hooke coined the term "cell" based on the resemblance of the small subdivisions in the cork to the rooms that monks inhabited, called cells. About ten years later, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek became the first person to observe the living and moving cells under a microscope. In the century that followed, the theory that cells represented the basic unit of life developed.
Multicellular organisms...
Cellular Differentiation00:57

Cellular Differentiation

How does a complex organism such as a human develop from a single cell? It all starts from a single fertilized egg which gives rise to a vast array of cell types, such as nerve cells, muscle cells, and epithelial cells that characterize the adult? Throughout development and adulthood, cellular differentiation leads cells to assume their final morphology and physiology. Differentiation is the process by which unspecialized cells become specialized to carry out distinct functions.
A zygote is a...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Analysis of the Development of a Morphological Phenotype as a Function of Protein Concentration in Budding Yeast
15:02

Analysis of the Development of a Morphological Phenotype as a Function of Protein Concentration in Budding Yeast

Published on: March 24, 2010

How cells change their phenotype.

David Tosh1, Jonathan M W Slack

  • 1Developmental Biology Programme, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK. D.Tosh@bath.ac.uk

Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology
|May 8, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Adult stem cells can generate cells from different tissues, a process called metaplasia. This review explores mechanisms and implications of cell plasticity in developmental biology and medicine.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Stem Cell Biology
  • Cellular Plasticity

Background:

  • Adult stem cells possess remarkable plasticity.
  • Cellular differentiation can be reversed or altered.
  • Metaplasia and transdifferentiation are key phenomena.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent discoveries in metaplasia.
  • To explore molecular and cellular mechanisms of cell switching.
  • To discuss the significance for developmental biology and medicine.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of metaplasia and transdifferentiation.
  • Analysis of recent scientific findings.
  • Speculation on underlying mechanisms.

Main Results:

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Imaging Cell Shape Change in Living Drosophila Embryos
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Imaging Cell Shape Change in Living Drosophila Embryos

Published on: March 30, 2011

Discrimination and Characterization of Heterocellular Populations Using Quantitative Imaging Techniques
09:48

Discrimination and Characterization of Heterocellular Populations Using Quantitative Imaging Techniques

Published on: June 30, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Analysis of the Development of a Morphological Phenotype as a Function of Protein Concentration in Budding Yeast
15:02

Analysis of the Development of a Morphological Phenotype as a Function of Protein Concentration in Budding Yeast

Published on: March 24, 2010

Imaging Cell Shape Change in Living Drosophila Embryos
11:20

Imaging Cell Shape Change in Living Drosophila Embryos

Published on: March 30, 2011

Discrimination and Characterization of Heterocellular Populations Using Quantitative Imaging Techniques
09:48

Discrimination and Characterization of Heterocellular Populations Using Quantitative Imaging Techniques

Published on: June 30, 2017

  • Adult stem cells can produce cells from embryologically unrelated tissues.
  • Fully differentiated cells can change their phenotype (transdifferentiation).
  • Evidence suggests embryological commitments can be reversed.

Conclusions:

  • Metaplasia and transdifferentiation highlight cellular plasticity.
  • Understanding these processes is crucial for developmental biology.
  • Potential therapeutic applications in medicine exist.