OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

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What is the process by which a cell changes to become specialized for its job?

Cell division
Dedifferentiation
Diffusion
Differentiation

The correct answer is: Differentiation

The process by which a cell changes to become specialized for its job is known as differentiation. Differentiation involves the transformation of a less specialized cell into a more specialized cell type, allowing it to perform specific functions effectively. This process enables cells to acquire unique structures and functions that are necessary for their roles in the body, such as muscle cells, nerve cells, or blood cells. During differentiation, certain genes are activated or repressed in a cell, leading to the development of specific characteristics that define the cell's structure and function. For example, a stem cell can differentiate into any type of cell in the body, thus contributing to the diversity of cell types needed for various biological functions. The other processes mentioned, such as cell division, which refers to the replication of cells; dedifferentiation, where specialized cells lose their specific features and revert to a less specialized state; and diffusion, which is a passive movement of substances across cell membranes, are distinct from differentiation and do not involve the specialization of cells for specific tasks.