differentiation

(noun)

In cellular differentiation, a less specialized cell becomes a more specialized cell.

Related Terms

Examples of differentiation in the following topics:

  • Selective and Differential Media

    • Mannitol salt agar (MSA) which is selective for Gram-positive bacteria and differential for mannitol.
    • Differential media or indicator media distinguish one microorganism type from another growing on the same media.
    • Examples of differential media include:
    • Streptococcuseosin methylene blue (EMB), which is differential for lactose and sucrose fermentation.
    • MacConkey (MCK), which is differential for lactose fermentationmannitol salt agar (MSA), which is differential for mannitol fermentation.

  • Development of the Dual Lymphocyte System

    • Mammalian stem cells differentiate into several kinds of blood cell within the bone marrow.
    • During this process, all lymphocytes originate from a common lymphoid progenitor before differentiating into their distinct lymphocyte types.
    • B and T cells) differentiate further after exposure to an antigen; they form effector and memory lymphocytes.
    • Mammalian stem cells differentiate into several kinds of blood cell within the bone marrow.
    • All lymphocytes originate during this process from a common lymphoid progenitor before differentiating into their distinct lymphocyte types.

  • Tests That Differentiate Between T Cells and B cells

    • Methods used to differentiate T cells and B cells include staining cell surface receptors and functional assays like the T lymphocyte cytotoxicity assay.
    • The expression of different markers allows the separation/differentiation of T and B cells.
    • These techniques are based on staining B and T cells for unique cell surface markers known as cluster of differentiation (CD).
    • Describe how T cells and B cells can be differentiated using staining of cell surface receptors and functional assays like the T lymphocyte cytotoxicity assay

  • Interference Microscopy

    • There are three types of interference microscopy: classical, differential contrast, and fluorescence contrast.
    • Since its introduction in the late 1960s differential interference contrast microscopy (DIC) has been popular in biomedical research because it produces high-resolution images of fine structures by enhancing the contrasted interfaces.
    • Fluorescence differential interference contrast (FLIC) microscopy was developed by combining fluorescence microscopy with DIC to minimize the effects of photobleaching on fluorochromes bound to the stained specimen.

  • Caulobacter Differentiation

    • A Caulobacter is used for studying the regulation of the cell cycle, asymmetric cell division, and cellular differentiation.
    • Caulobacter is an important model organism for studying the regulation of the cell cycle, asymmetric cell division, and cellular differentiation.
    • Swarmer cells differentiate into stalked cells after a short period of motility.
    • Swarmer cells differentiate into stalked cells after a short period of motility.

  • Detecting Acid and Gas Production

    • Culture media can be used to differentiate between different kinds of bacteria by detecting acid or gas production.
    • Differential media, also known as indicator media, distinguish one microorganism type from another growing on the same media.
    • Differential media are used for the detection of microorganisms and by molecular biologists to detect recombinant strains of bacteria.
    • This raises the pH of the medium, allowing the O157:H7 strain to be differentiated from other E. coli strains through the action of the pH indicator in the medium.

  • Classes of T Cells

    • This activation results in the expansion of the antigen-specific lymphocyte pool and the differentiation of these cells into effector and memory cells.
    • In response to antigenic stimulation, helper T cells (characterized by the expression of CD4 marker on their surface) secrete proteins called cytokines, whose function is to stimulate the proliferation and differentiation of the T cells themselves, as well as other cells, including B cells, macrophages, and other leukocytes.
    • Memory T cells are an expanded population of T cells specific for antigens that can respond rapidly to subsequent encounter with that antigen and differentiate into effector cell to eliminate the antigen.

  • Clonal Selection of Antibody-Producing Cells

    • The differentiated effector cells derived from an activated lymphocyte will bear receptors of identical specificity as the parental cell.
    • All B cells derive from a particular cell, and as such, the antibodies and their differentiated progenies can recognize and/or bind the same specific surface components composed of biological macromolecules (epitope) of a given antigen.
    • Most of such B cells differentiate into plasma cells that secrete antibodies into blood that bind the same epitope that elicited proliferation in the first place.
    • B cells that have not been activated by antigen are known as naive lymphocytes; those that have met their antigen, become activated, and have differentiated further into fully functional lymphocytes are known as effector B lymphocytes.
    • Clonal selection of lymphocytes: 1) A hematopoietic stem cell undergoes differentiation and genetic rearrangement to produce 2) immature lymphocytes with many different antigen receptors.

  • Morphologically Unusual Proteobacteria

    • Caulobacter is an important model organism for studying the regulation of the cell cycle, asymmetric cell division, and cellular differentiation.
    • Swarmer cells differentiate into stalked cells after a short period of motility.
    • Swarmer cells differentiate into stalked cells after a short period of motility.

  • Bacterial Differentiation