dedifferentiation

dedifferentiation — noun

1. a biological process in which mature, specialized cells lose their distinct char

1.名詞C2
釋義

a biological process in which mature, specialized cells lose their distinct characteristics and return to a simpler, less-developed form, often happening before a major structural change such as the regrowth of a damaged body part.

例句

When a salamander loses a limb, some cells undergo dedifferentiation to form a regeneration bud.

undergo dedifferentiation — verb + noun collocation in cell biology

Scientists observed dedifferentiation in plant cells after they were removed from the root tip.

dedifferentiation in + [cell type] — common prepositional pattern

同義詞
  • cellular reversion

    more specific than dedifferentiation; emphasizes the return to an earlier cell state

反義詞

用法筆記

This term is used almost exclusively in cell biology and developmental medicine. It describes the reverse of differentiation — cells becoming less specialized rather than more. The corresponding verb form (dedifferentiate) is also common in scientific writing.

常見錯誤

❌The team observed dedifferentiation of the company's market position.
✅The team observed regression of the company's market position.
💡Dedifferentiation is a biological term for cellular change; do not use it for abstract or business declines.