How Does the Cellular Environment Influence Cell Behavior?

The cellular environment affects various cellular activities:

Proliferation: Growth factors and nutrients in the environment stimulate cell division.
Differentiation: Signals from the ECM and neighboring cells guide stem cells to become specialized cell types.
Migration: Cells move in response to chemical gradients and ECM components, which is crucial in processes like wound healing and cancer metastasis.
Apoptosis: The loss of essential signals from the environment can trigger programmed cell death, maintaining tissue homeostasis.