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into almost any kind of cell type, including
VIRUS
 a small parasite that cannot
reproduce by itself. Once it infects
a susceptible cell, however,
a virus can direct the cell
machinery to produce more
viruses. Most viruses have
either RNA or DNA as their genetic
material. The nucleic acid may be
single- or double-stranded. The
entire infectious virus particle,
called a virion, consists of the
nucleic acid and an outer shell
of protein. The simplest viruses
contain only enough RNA or DNA
to encode four proteins. The most
complex can encode 100 – 200
proteins.
CELL DIFFERENTIATION.
-The process by which a less specialized
cell becomes a more specialized cell type
-process which is seen in multicellular
organisms. Here, right from the time after
fertilization, the zygote begins to
differentiate into a specialized network of
cells. Differentiation is a common process in
adult stem cells that divide and differentiate
into specialized daughter cells.
pluripotent cell-A cell that can differentiate
into all types of cells that make up the body
These cells are known as embryonic stem
cells in animals and mammals.
totipotent cell-A cell that can differentiate
placental cells
Cell Differentiation Process
The process of cell differentiation starts
with the fertilization of the female egg.
As soon as the egg is fertilized, cell
multiplication is initiated resulting in the
formation of a sphere of cells known as
the blastocyst. It is this sphere of cells
that attach to the uterine wall and
continues to differentiate.
As the blastocyst differentiates, it
divides and specializes to form a zygote
that attaches to the womb for nutrients.
As it continues to multiply and increase
in size, the differentiation process
results in the formation of different
organs.
Primary Factors Influencing Cell
Differentiation
Gene Structure - This is the most
important factor when it comes to cell
differentiation. Each of the viable genes
contains important information that
determine the cell type and physical
attributes of the animal (host). Any
problem in the genetic material
ultimately affects cell differentiation and
the development of the host.
Environmental Factors - Various
environmental factors as changes in
temperature and supply of oxygen etc
can affect the release and production of
hormones given that various proteins
are involved in the transmission of
information as well as triggering of
hormones. If these molecules are
affected, then cell differentiation and
development is also affected.