Will Differentiated Cells Divide?

A few types of differentiated cells never divide again, but most cells are able to resume proliferation as required to replace cells that have been lost as a result of injury or cell death. In addition, some cells divide continuously throughout life to replace cells that have a high rate of turnover in adult animals.

What happens when cells become differentiated?

When cells express specific genes that characterise a certain type of cell we say that a cell has become differentiated. Once a cell becomes differentiated it only expresses the genes that produce the proteins characteristic for that type of cell. ... These unspecialised cells are called stem cells.

Can differentiated cells become undifferentiated?

In general, the process of cell differentiation is irreversible. However, under certain conditions, the differentiated cells are also unstable, and their gene expression patterns can also undergo reversible changes and return to their undifferentiated state.