What does cell adhesion refer to?

Cell adhesion pertains to the mechanism by which cells attach to one another or to the extracellular matrix, which is the material surrounding cells in tissues. This process is crucial for maintaining the structure and integrity of tissues, facilitating communication between cells, and influencing diverse biological functions, including growth, development, and healing.

Cell adhesion plays a significant role in various physiological processes, including the formation of tissues and organs, immune responses, and the repair of damaged tissues. Different types of proteins, such as cadherins and integrins, mediate these adhesion interactions, allowing cells to recognize and bind to each other or to their environment. This bonding is vital for maintaining tissue architecture and is fundamental to key processes like embryonic development and wound healing.

In contrast, the other options relate to different biological processes: DNA replication involves the copying of genetic material, genetic exchange pertains to processes such as horizontal gene transfer, and differentiation refers to stem cells specializing into specific cell types. Each of these processes is important in biology but does not pertain to the concept of cell adhesion.