When a cell transforms itself into different lineage the ability is known as -

Transdifferentiation Transdifferentiation takes place when a non-stem cell transforms into a different type of cell, or when an already-differentiated stem cell creates cells outside its already established differentiation, Remember very important fact that it is the non-stem cell or already differentiated stem cell (i.e. mature cell) that is transformed into another type of cell. It is not stem cell that is transforming, Transdifferentiation is a type of metaplasia. Then, what is the difference between transdifferentiation and metaplasia? In Transdifferentiation only differentiated stem cell is transformed into another cell type, while in metaplasia any of the two, either stem cell or differentiated cell can transform into another cell type. So, all transdifferentiation processes are metaplasia, but not all metaplasia are transdifferentiation.