Final answer:
Cell differentiation is the process where unspecialized cells like stem cells change to become specialized. Cell specialization is the result of differentiation, where the differentiated cells now have specific functions. Differentiation is the journey, while specialization is the destination.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cell Differentiation vs. Cell Specialization
The difference between cell differentiation and cell specialization revolves around the process and outcome related to the functions and characteristics of cells. Cell differentiation refers to the process by which an unspecialized cell, such as a stem cell, undergoes a change to become a cell with a more specific role within an organism. During differentiation, these cells experience changes in size, shape, and metabolism to take on specific tasks.
On the other hand, cell specialization is the result of differentiation, the final form where a cell has a specific function and often a distinct structure aligned with that function, such as nerve cells for transmitting impulses or muscle cells for contraction. Specialization describes the unique role and structure that makes each cell type different from one another, despite them all containing the same DNA.
Throughout the development from a fertilized egg into a complex organism like a human, cellular differentiation leads to a vast array of specialized cells, each with unique morphological and physiological characteristics determined by the expression of specific genes controlled by transcription factors. Under normal conditions, once specialized, cells retain their specific roles, contributing to the organism's functionality as a whole.