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Specialized cells

In a single-celled organism, all the functions necessary for life must be carried out in one cell. In contrast, multicellular organisms can delegate jobs to particular groups of cells.

Cells that have adapted to a specific function are known as specialized cells.

Specialized cells are grouped into tissues, which combine to make organs and organ systems.

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Tissues, organs and organ systems

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Stem cells

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Rest phase

Cells often stop dividing once they are fully differentiated, so where do they fit into the cell cycle?

Specialized cells move from G1 into a resting phase known as G0.

G0 is also the phase in which stem cells wait until their associated body cells need replacing.

A cell may remain in G0 for the rest of its lifetime, or it may just rest in this state temporarily.

G0

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Plant structure

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Cell differentiation