Students should be able to explain the importance of cell differentiation. • As an organism develops, cells differentiate to form different types of cells. Most types of animal cell differentiate at an early stage. Many types of plant cells retain the ability to differentiate throughout life. In mature animals, cell division is mainly restricted to repair and replacement. As a cell differentiates it acquires different sub-cellular structures to enable it to carry out a certain function. It has become a specialised cell.