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DIFFERENTIATION
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
The mathematical process of obtaining the derivative of a function
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Hypernyms ("differentiation" is a kind of...):
mathematical operation; mathematical process; operation ((mathematics) calculation by mathematical methods)
Derivation:
differentiate (calculate a derivative; take the derivative)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A discrimination between things as different and distinct on the basis of their characteristics or attributes
Example:
it is necessary to make a distinction between love and infatuation
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents
Hypernyms ("differentiation" is a kind of...):
discrimination; secernment (the cognitive process whereby two or more stimuli are distinguished)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "differentiation"):
contradistinction (a distinction drawn on the basis of contrast)
contrast; demarcation; dividing line; line (a conceptual separation or distinction)
hairsplitting; word-splitting (making too fine distinctions of little importance)
Derivation:
differentiate (become distinct and acquire a different character)
differentiate (mark as different)
differentiate (be a distinctive feature, attribute, or trait; sometimes in a very positive sense)
Sense 3
Meaning:
(biology) the structural adaptation of some body part for a particular function
Example:
cell differentiation in the developing embryo
Synonyms:
differentiation; specialisation; specialization
Classified under:
Nouns denoting natural processes
Hypernyms ("differentiation" is a kind of...):
adaptation; adaption; adjustment (the process of adapting to something (such as environmental conditions))
Domain category:
biological science; biology (the science that studies living organisms)
Derivation:
differentiate (become different during development)
Context examples:
This gene plays a role in embryonic development and cell differentiation.
(MEIS1 Gene, NCI Thesaurus)
Laboratory techniques required for preparation of tissues for light microscopy/histological analysis to study the microscopic structure of animal tissues, including their cellular composition, origin, differentiation, function and arrangement into organs.
(Microtechnique, NCI Thesaurus)
Miltefosine targets cellular membranes, modulating cell membrane permeability, membrane lipid composition, phospholipid metabolism, and mitogenic signal transduction, resulting in cell differentiation and inhibition of cell growth.
(Miltefosine, NCI Thesaurus)
This allele, which encodes microphthalmia-associated transcription factor protein, plays a role in both the differentiation of various cell types and the development of melanocytes in the retinal pigment epithelium.
(MITF wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)
It is characterized by the presence of spindle cells with myoblastic differentiation, a myxoid stroma, and fibrous septa.
(Mixed Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma, NCI Thesaurus)
A small round cell tumor of the bone with neural differentiation which has spread from its original site of growth to another anatomic site.
(Metastatic Peripheral Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor of Bone, NCI Thesaurus)
A small round cell tumor with or without neural differentiation which has spread from its original site of growth to another anatomic site.
(Metastatic Ewing Sarcoma/Peripheral Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor, NCI Thesaurus)
This allele, which encodes MKL/myocardin-like protein 1, plays a role in the positive regulation of both smooth muscle cell differentiation and transcription.
(MKL1 wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)
A term describing a soft tissue tumor which consists of two or more mesenchymal lines of differentiation, excluding a fibroblastic line of differentiation.
(Mesenchymoma, NCI Thesaurus)
Transformation of malignant cells with a specific differentiation to different morphologic types.
(Metaplasia of Malignant Cells Present, NCI Thesaurus)
