An asymmetric cell division produces two daughter cells with different cellular fates. This is in contrast to normal, symmetric, cell divisions, which give rise to daughter cells of equivalent fates. Notably, stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to two distinct daughter cells: one copy of original stem cell as well as a second daughter programmed to differentiate into a non-stem cell, relying on intrinsic asymmetry. The term asymmetric cell division usually refers to such intrinsic asymmetric divisions.
Read more about Asymmetric Cell Division: Intrinsic Asymmetry, Asymmetric Cell Division in C. Elegans, Asymmetric Cell Division of Drosophila Neuroblasts, Asymmetric Cell Division in Spiralian Development, Asymmetric Division in Development
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