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Glite Dictionary
to dedifferentiate

to dedifferentiate

9.9
To lose special parts and return to a simpler cell or tissue state
  • verb
  • /ˌdiːˌdɪfərˈɛnʃieɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : dediferenciar
  • Under stress, the muscle tissue may dedifferentiate and lose its contractile properties.

Examples

  • Some plants have the ability to dedifferentiate their cells for regeneration after injury.

  • Certain cancer cells can dedifferentiate and begin dividing uncontrollably.

  • Cells can dedifferentiate.

  • Some cells dedifferentiate easily.

  • Researchers found that the stem cells could dedifferentiate and form a variety of cell types.

  • In response to injury, certain cells in the organism can dedifferentiate and start the healing process.

  • Scientists discovered that environmental changes might cause cells to dedifferentiate into a more primitive state.

Antonyms

to differentiate
  • Specialized
9 5.5

To change so a cell or part does a different job

How Differentiated

to specialize
  • Specialized
28 4.4
to differentiate
  • Specialized
9 5.5
to dedifferentiate
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

dedifferentiate infinitive
dedifferentiated past
dedifferentiated past participle
dedifferentiating present participle
dedifferentiates third person singular

Morphology

dedifferentiate = differentiate (semi-transparent) = de + different + iate

In this biological sense, 'de-' straightforwardly reverses 'differentiate', giving the meaning 'lose specialized characteristics'.

Etymology

Dedifferentiate starts with de- meaning 'reverse' and the part differentiate, which is related to different and means 'become special'. So, to dedifferentiate is to lose special features and go back to a simpler, less specialized cell state.