Microorganisms
Differentiation
Two
cells
are
said
to
be
differentiated
with
respect
to
each
other
when
they
contain
the
same
genetic
material
but
different
types
of
proteins.
Although
by
strict
definition
a
bacterial
cell
that
produces
ß-galactosidase
when
grown
in
lactose
containing
medium
can
also
be
considered
as
differentiated,
this
type
of
differentiation
is
not
the
subject
of
the
present
discussion.
In
true
differentation,
the
process
is
initiated
by
an
external
stimulus
not
present
at
all
times.
Although
the
conversion
of
a
vegetative
cell
into
a
dormant
structure
or
the
morphogenesis
that
occurs
during
the
development
of
the
cellular
slime
molds
is
a
true
type
of
differentiation,
the
division
of
a
bacterial
cell
into
two
cells
or
the
replication
of
a
bacteriophage
also
represent
different
differentiating
systems.
One
of
the
best
studied
differentiating
process
is
the
process
of
sporulation
in
the
Gram-positive
bacteria.
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