Skip to main content
SWStudyWalks Search

Biology / Unit 13   Bio 3369 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Determination and Differentiation

Captions available

The idea

Determination commits a cell irreversibly to a fate before any visible change; differentiation is the later process where that committed cell actually specializes in structure and function.

In practice

A committed muscle precursor is already determined before it visibly develops striations and contractile fibers.

Where people slip

Determination locks in fate before differentiation shows it outwardly — a determined cell can look identical to undetermined neighbors.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

Something wrong in this lesson? Flag it  ·  Sources for Biology