(cell differentiation) Environmentally sensitive, genetically controlled, normally irreversible process in multicellular organisms whereby immature precursor cells become functionally and morphologically distinct, leading to the formation of various organs, tissues, and cell types.

(cell differentiation) The process in which relatively unspecialized cells, e.g. embryonic or regenerative cells, acquire specialized structural and/or functional features that characterize the cells, tissues, or organs of the mature organism or some other relatively stable phase of the organism's life history. Differentiation includes the processes involved in commitment of a cell to a specific fate and its subsequent development to the mature state.

Progressive restriction of the developmental potential and increasing specialization of function which takes place during the development of the embryo and leads to the formation of specialized cells, tissues, and organs.

The process during which young, immature (unspecialized) cells take on individual characteristics and reach their mature (specialized) form and function.