The process of cells or tissues losing their specialized functions and returning to a more basic or undifferentiated state.
From de- (reversal) + differentiating (becoming specialized). The prefix de- comes from Latin and means 'to reverse or undo.' Differentiating comes from Latin 'differentia' meaning 'difference.' The term evolved in biology in the 20th century to describe cellular processes.
Cancer cells often involve dedifferentiation—tumor cells actually become less specialized than normal cells, which is why they multiply so rapidly and lose their proper function. It's like cells forgetting their job description!
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