Why do these biology textbooks write 'differential' as an adjective, rather than 'different'?

[scherz0]

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Are these books using 'differential' correctly? Why not just write 'different'? English isn't my first language, and I don't understand the difference between 'differential' and 'different' as adjectives.

1. Handbook of the Biology of Aging edited by Edward J. Masoro, Steven N. Austad. p 480.

2. The Cambridge Companion to the Philosophy of Biology edited by David L. Hull, Michael Ruse. p 46.

3. p 78.

4. Dictionary of Plant Genetics and Molecular Biology by Gurbachan Miglani. Anyone know the page #?

 

[tr]

Differential is used when the comparator groups are inherent or implied, or when talking about a range of differences within a single group. Different implies between groups, and requires an explicitly delineated comparator.

In the fourth example above, if the sentence were to be written "different deaths were actually observed" you would expect there to be a comparison given to another group, e.g., the sentence would be expected to continue on with "between groups". "Differential" can imply a variety of outcomes within the group under discussion and does not require the explicit delineation of the comparator group.

 

[phonyreal98]

To be differential from other fields