Question

Redifferentiation is the process in which

• A. cells lose the capacity to divide and get mature
• B. cells divide to perform specific functions
• C. cells undergo senescence
• D. none of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A cells lose the capacity to divide and get mature

To perform certain functions, cells undergo different structural changes like change in the cell walls and protoplasms. For example, the development of very strong, elastic, and lignocellulosic elements to carry the water to long distances. This process is called differentiation.

Now, these differentiated cells lose the ability to divide, but under certain conditions, these cells again regain their ability to divide. This process is termed as dedifferentiation. For example, the differentiated parenchyma cells (not actively dividing cells) present in medullary rays undergo dedifferentiation to give rise to interfascicular cambium (actively dividing cells).

After cell division, they again lose the ability to divide and get matured to perform some functions. This process is called redifferentiation. For example, usually, the cells of the cortex region differentiate into cork cambium (meristematic tissue) in which outer cells redifferentiate into bark.

Fig: Sequence of plant cell development