Do differentiated cells transform into other type of cells H

Do differentiated cells transform into other type of cells? How? What type of experiment would be done to test this thoery?

Solution

Yes, differentiated cells can transform reversibly into other type of cells, known as metaplasia. The change from one type of cell to another may be a part of a normal maturation process, or caused by some sort of abnormal stimulus. If the stimulus causing metaplasia is removed, the cells return to their normal differenctiated pattern. Metaplasia occurs in cells to make them robust to the environment.

Experiment: A group of rats, receiving a diet dificient in vitamina A and had a thread inserted in the trachea, can develope metaplasia about the insertion of the thread after 60 to 100 days. While a group of rats, recieving diet with vitamine A and had a thread inserted in the trachea, do not develope metaplasia. Hence such an experiment could be done to test this theory.