All cells begin unspecialised with all genes 'switched on'
Differentiation (or specialising) is when certain genes switch off
Each gene codes for a differenent protein (one gene one protein theory), so a hair cell for example will have specialised to only produce the proteins it needs e.g keratin
Unspecialised cells in plants are called meristems, in animals they are called embryonic stem cells and we only have them up to the 8 cell stage
There are also part specialised cells such as bone marrow that can only change into a few different types of cells
What about them?
Just think of them as:
All cells begin unspecialised with all genes 'switched on'
Differentiation (or specialising) is when certain genes switch off
Each gene codes for a differenent protein (one gene one protein theory), so a hair cell for example will have specialised to only produce the proteins it needs e.g keratin
Unspecialised cells in plants are called meristems, in animals they are called embryonic stem cells and we only have them up to the 8 cell stage
There are also part specialised cells such as bone marrow that can only change into a few different types of cells
Hope this helps! :)
Joe