Main Entry: dif·fer·en·ti·a·tion

Pronunciation: \-ˌren-chē-ˈā-shən\

Function: noun

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