Figure 2.

Cell divisions are controlled by internal and external signals. Symmetric divisions occur when there is an equal distribution of proteins, organelles, and cytoskeleton in the mother cell resulting in two daughter cells of the same fate. Asymmetric divisions through the intrinsic mechanism have an unequal distribution of proteins and fate determinants often resulting in daughter cells with different fates. Through the extrinsic mechanism, the cell divides symmetrically but daughter cells receive different signals from the microenvironment resulting in diverse cell fates.