Which cell type undergoes terminal differentiation?
A. stem cells
B. heart cells
C. epithelial cells
D. hair cells
C. epithelial cells
The cell type that undergoes terminal differentiation is A. stem cells.
The correct answer is B. heart cells.
To arrive at this answer, you can eliminate options A, C, and D by understanding the concept of terminal differentiation and the characteristics of the cell types mentioned.
Terminal differentiation refers to the process by which a cell becomes highly specialized and loses its ability to divide further. Stem cells, option A, are known for their ability to differentiate into various cell types, so they do not undergo terminal differentiation.
Epithelial cells, option C, are a vast group of cells that form the lining of various body surfaces and organs. While they can mature and specialize to perform specific functions, they generally maintain the ability to continue dividing throughout life. Therefore, they don't undergo terminal differentiation.
Hair cells, option D, are a type of sensory cell found in the cochlea of the inner ear responsible for converting sound vibrations into electrical signals. They are known to have limited ability to regenerate and replace damaged cells but can still undergo some form of differentiation.
Heart cells, option B, also known as cardiomyocytes, are specialized muscle cells that form the heart. These cells are responsible for generating the contraction and relaxation of the heart. During development, heart cells undergo terminal differentiation, losing their ability to divide further, and becoming highly specialized for their function.
Therefore, the correct answer is B. heart cells.