Cell Differentiation: Causes, Mechanisms and More

AI Thread Summary
Cell differentiation is a process where unspecialized cells become specialized cells of a tissue, influenced by various factors. Key causes include tissue repair needs, stimulation from nearby cells through chemical signals, physical contact with other cells, and interactions with specific molecules in the microenvironment. Mechanisms controlling cell differentiation may involve hormonal influences, although the discussion suggests a need for further exploration of these mechanisms. Additionally, the role of stem cells in frequent differentiation highlights their significance in cancer research, emphasizing their potential for therapeutic applications.
garytse86
Messages
311
Reaction score
0
Hi, I have a question on cell differentiation:

I know that cell differentiation occurs when the cell becomes a specialised cell of a tissue and different genes are switched on and off depends on the types of specialised cell.

The causes I am aware of are:
When repairment of tissue is needed (tissue damage etc)
When other cells nearby stimulates cell differentiation by secreting chemicals
Physical contact with other cells
Physical contact with certain molecules in the microenvironment

Does anyone know some kind of mechanisms that control cell differentiaton? Or any other causes of stem cells becoming specialised cells? Thanks.
 
Biology news on Phys.org
I think it has something to do with hormones, but i am not sure.
 
Well there are the stem cells which undergo frequent cell differentiation which further proves its usefulness to cancer research.
 

Thread 'Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)'

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/body-dysmorphia/ Most people have some mild apprehension about their body, such as one thinks their nose is too big, hair too straight or curvy. At the extreme, cases such as this, are difficult to completely understand. https://www.msn.com/en-ca/health/other/why-would-someone-want-to-amputate-healthy-limbs/ar-AA1MrQK7?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=68ce4014b1fe4953b0b4bd22ef471ab9&ei=78 they feel like they're an amputee in the body of a regular person "For...
View full post »
Thread 'Did they discover another descendant of homo erectus?'

Thread 'Did they discover another descendant of homo erectus?'

The study provides critical new insights into the African Humid Period, a time between 14,500 and 5,000 years ago when the Sahara desert was a green savanna, rich in water bodies that facilitated human habitation and the spread of pastoralism. Later aridification turned this region into the world's largest desert. Due to the extreme aridity of the region today, DNA preservation is poor, making this pioneering ancient DNA study all the more significant. Genomic analyses reveal that the...
View full post »

Thread 'Warning of new opiod drug (nitazene) on the streets: Question re strength...'

Whenever these opiods are mentioned they usually mention that e.g. fentanyl is "50 times stronger than heroin" and "100 times stronger than morphine". Now it's nitazene which the public is told is everything from "much stronger than heroin" and "200 times stronger than fentany"! Do these numbers make sense at all? How do they arrive at them? Kill thousands of mice? En passant: nitazene have already been found in both Oxycontin pills and in street "heroin" here, so Naloxone is more...
View full post »

Similar threads

Did Neurons Evolve from Secretory Cells?
Replies
2
Views
3K
Unicellular functioning molecules inside multicellular cells
Replies
4
Views
2K
Did tissues arise from other cells or cell differentiation?
Replies
9
Views
2K
What Makes CRISPR-Gold a Promising Tool for Genetic Diseases?
Replies
2
Views
2K
Medical Scientists identify major safety issue with CRISPR
Replies
11
Views
5K
Is epigenetics an additional mechanism for natural selection?
Replies
16
Views
3K
CRISPR and unwanted DNA alterations
Replies
3
Views
4K
Can we mimic Turreptosis cellular reversal in humans?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Thermo Activation of Individual Neurons in Live Vertebrates
Replies
1
Views
2K
New Yorker Article about epigenomics
Replies
8
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top