Final answer:
Understanding cell state and type involves characterizing cells by their functions or phenotypes in the biological field, often employing advanced techniques such as machine learning instead of measuring expression space distances.
Step-by-step explanation:
Defining cell state and type refers to the process of characterizing and classifying cells based on their specific functional or phenotypic attributes, typically in the context of biology or medicine. Unlike traditional methods that measure distances in gene expression space using techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), newer methods may rely on alternative strategies such as machine learning algorithms, lineage tracing, or other molecular markers that reflect specific cell identities or states.
Identifying cell types and states without calculating distances in expression space can be important for understanding cellular diversity and for applications in cell biology, developmental biology, and personalized medicine.