This is a real-world medical entrance exam question, please give the true answer based on the question and selection. Topic name: General pathology, Subject name: Pathology
Capacity of a cell to differentiate into diverse lineages 
Select and explain. 
A. Transdifferentiation, B. Dedifferentiation, C. Metaplasia, D. Developmental plasticity
A: Transdifferentiation
Answer: A: Transdifferentiation 
Explanation: Transdifferentiation - irreversible conversion of cells from one differentiated cell type to another Dedifferentiation - reverse developmental process in which differentiated cells with specialized functions become undifferentiated progenitor cells Metaplasia - reversible transformation of one differentiated cell type to another differentiated cell type.