What process occurs during cellular development as the cell changes into a specific type of cell with specialized functions

Cell differentiation

Explanation:

Cell differentiation is the process by which living cells "specialize" to perform a specific function within an organism.

After differentiation, differentiated cells can act in isolation - like the gametes and sex cells of smaller organisms, such as bacteria. Or they can be grouped into differentiated tissues, such as bone and muscle tissue. Although differentiated, the cells maintain the same genetic code as the first cell (zygote). The difference lies in the activation and inhibition of specific groups of genes that will determine the function of each cell.

Cell differentiation is how generic embryonic cells become specialized cells. This occurs through a process called gene expression. Gene expression is the specific combination of genes that are turned in or off (expressed or repressed), and this is what dictates hiw a cell functions