Question

Carefully distinguish between the terms differentiation and determination. Which phenomenon occurs initially during development?

Short answer

Answer: Determination occurs initially during development, as cells must first become committed to a specific role in the organism before they undergo the changes necessary to specialize in structure and function.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Differentiation

Differentiation is the process by which cells become specialized in structure and function. During differentiation, cells undergo changes in gene expression and acquire specific characteristics allowing them to perform specialized functions in the organism.

Definition of Determination

Determination is the process by which a cell's developmental fate is committed, meaning that its role in the organism has been predetermined. During determination, cells receive specific signals or cues that lead to changes in gene expression, which will eventually result in the process of differentiation.

Identifying the Initial Phenomenon

Determination is the phenomenon that occurs initially during development. This is because cells must first become committed to a particular role in the organism (determination) before they can undergo the changes necessary to specialize in their structure and function (differentiation).