A closer look
You might think DNA strictly bosses stem cells around, but these blank-slate cells are actually highly sensitive, touchy-feely architects. If you grow a human stem cell on a squishy, jelly-like surface, it physically senses the softness and confidently decides to become a brain cell. Drop that exact same cell onto a rigid piece of plastic, and the mechanical stress on its internal skeleton forces it to harden into a bone cell, proving your cells are just as influenced by their mattress quality as you are.
