What term describes features that allow cells to perform specific functions?

The term that accurately describes features that allow cells to perform specific functions is specialization. Specialization refers to the process by which cells develop distinct characteristics and functions, tailored to carry out particular tasks within an organism. For instance, muscle cells are specialized for contraction, nerve cells for signaling, and red blood cells for oxygen transport.

This concept highlights the diversity of cell types in multicellular organisms, where each cell has a unique structure that supports its function. These specific features arise from the expression of certain genes, allowing cells to fulfill roles that enhance the organism’s overall functioning. While adaptation is a relevant term in contexts such as evolution, it does not specifically refer to the internal features of cells that equip them for their roles. Other terms like ciliation and reproduction pertain to more specific processes or structures, further clarifying that specialization is the most appropriate term for this context.