Within the human body, different cells have different characteristics or phenotypes. For example, neurons look and behave very differently from hepatocytes (liver cells). How can this be explained considering that all cells within a person were derived from the same starting cell?

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Different cell types express different sets of proteins, which are determined by the specific genes that are active or inactive in each cell type. All cells contain the same DNA, but differential gene expression leads to the production of different proteins, resulting in different cell characteristics or phenotypes.

Within the Human Body, Different Cells Have Different Characteristics or Phenotypes