The ability of unspecialized cells to develop into specialized cells is known as what?

The ability of unspecialized cells to develop into specialized cells is known as cell differentiation. This process is critical during development, as it allows a single fertilized egg to give rise to the various cell types that make up the tissues and organs of an organism. For instance, stem cells are a prominent example of unspecialized cells that have the potential to differentiate into multiple cell types, such as muscle cells, nerve cells, or blood cells, depending on the signals they receive from their environment.

Cell differentiation involves a series of changes in the cell's gene expression, leading to the development of specific functions and characteristics that define each specialized cell type. This process ensures that the right cells are produced at the right time and place during development and in response to injury or disease.

Other terms like cell specialization refer more to the end result of this process—how cells assume distinct roles. Cell formation and cell replication do not adequately describe the transformation of an unspecialized cell into a specialized one, as they imply different biological processes that do not focus on the specialization aspect. Thus, the most accurate term for the process described in the question is cell differentiation.