differentiation

dif·fer·en·ti·a·tion

noun \-ˌren(t)-shē-ˈā-shən\

Definition of DIFFERENTIATION

1

: the act or process of differentiating

2

: development from the one to the many, the simple to the complex, or the homogeneous to the heterogeneous

3

a : modification of body parts for performance of particular functions

b : the sum of the processes whereby apparently indifferent or unspecialized cells, tissues, and structures attain their adult form and function

4

: the processes by which various rock types are produced from a common magma

First Known Use of DIFFERENTIATION

1802

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

Rhymes with DIFFERENTIATION

characterization, circumnavigation, commercialization, criminalization, cross-examination, de-Stalinization, decentralization, declassification, decontamination, dehumanization, demystification, deterioration, disassociation, disorientation, disorganization, disqualification, diversification, electrification, excommunication, exemplification, experimentation, extemporization, externalization, generalization, homogenization, hospitalization, hyperventilation, idealization, identification, indemnification, indetermination, indiscrimination, individuation, insubordination, intensification, intermediation, italicization, masculinization, megacorporation, militarization, miniaturization, misappropriation, miscommunication, misinterpretation, misrepresentation, monopolization, nonproliferation, overcompensation, overpopulation, personification, popularization, predetermination, ratiocination, rationalization, recapitulation, reconciliation, reconsideration, rehabilitation, reinterpretation, reorganization, revitalization, secularization, solidification, tintinnabulation, transubstantiation, underestimation, undervaluation, visualization

dif·fer·en·ti·a·tion

noun \-ˌren-chē-ˈā-shən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of DIFFERENTIATION

1

a : the act of describing a thing by giving its differentia b : the enhancement of microscopically visible differences between tissue or cell parts by partial selective decolorization or removal of excess stain (as in regressive staining) c : the development of a discriminating conditioned response with a positive response to one stimulus and absence of the response on the application of similar but discriminably different stimuli

2

a : modification of different parts of the body for performance of particular functions; also : specialization of parts or organs in the course of evolution b : the sum of the developmental processes whereby apparently unspecialized cells, tissues, and structures attain their adult form and function—compare determination 2

differentiation

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Mathematical process of finding the derivative of a function. Defined abstractly as a process involving limits, in practice it may be done using algebraic manipulations that rely on three basic formulas and four rules of operation. The formulas are: (1) the derivative of xⁿ is nx^{n 1}, (2) the derivative of sin x is cos x, and (3) the derivative of the exponential function e^x is itself. The rules are: (1) (af + bg) = af + bg, (2) (fg) = fg + gf, (3) (f/g) = (gf fg)/g², and (4) (f(g)) = f(g)g, where a and b are constants, f and g are functions, and a prime () indicates the derivative. The last formula is called the chain rule. The derivation and exploration of these formulas and rules is the subject of differential calculus. See also integration.