Final answer:
If the cells of a tree seed do not differentiate, all cells would be identical and the seed could only form roots but not leaves or other specialized structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the seed of a tree first starts to grow, if the cells did not differentiate, all of the cells would be identical. Cell differentiation is the process by which cells become specialized for specific functions. In the case of a tree, if cells did not differentiate, the seed could form roots, but not leaves or other specialized structures.
During the growth of a tree, cells differentiate to perform different tasks. For example, some cells differentiate into root cells that help anchor the tree and absorb water and nutrients from the soil, while others differentiate into leaf cells that capture sunlight and perform photosynthesis. The process of cell differentiation is controlled by the DNA in each cell.
Learn more about cell differentiation in tree growth