176k views
1 vote
Why aren't all the cells in our body totipotent our entire lives ​

1 Answer

6 votes

Answer:

somatic cells have highly specific functions

Explanation:

In our body, the major part of cells is irreversibly differentiated into somatic cells. From a cellular point of view, this process of differentiation seems to be an evolutionary disadvantage. However, cellular differentiation is a process aimed at exploiting the genetic variation in order to obtain a highly specialized cell type that is capable of carrying out a specific cellular function. For example, keratinocytes are highly specialized epithelial cells that function by separating the organism from the surrounding environment.

User Amin Khademian
by
8.6k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.