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dedifferentiation

 - 4 dictionary results

de⋅dif⋅fer⋅en⋅ti⋅a⋅tion

  [dee-dif-uh-ren-shee-ey-shuhn]
Use dedifferentiation in a Sentence
–noun Biology.
a process by which structures or behaviors that were specialized for a specific function lose their specialization and become simplified or generalized.
Origin:
1915–20; de- + differentiation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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de·dif·fer·en·ti·a·tion   (dē'dĭf-ə-rěn'shē-ā'shən)   
n.   Biology
Regression of a specialized cell or tissue to a simpler, more embryonic, unspecialized form. Dedifferentiation may occur before the regeneration of appendages in plants and certain animals and in the development of some cancers.
de'dif·fer·en'ti·ate' v.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: de·dif·fer·en·ti·a·tion
Pronunciation: -"ren-chE-'A-sh&n
Function: noun
: reversion of specializedstructures (as cells) to a more generalized or primitive condition often as a preliminary to major physiological or structural change
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

dedifferentiation de·dif·fer·en·ti·a·tion (dē'dĭf-ə-rěn'shē-ā'shən)
n.
Regression of a specialized cell or tissue to a simpler unspecialized form.

de'dif·fer·en'ti·ate' v.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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