Question

how do cells know how to develop within a multicellular organism? they follow a pattern that comes from outside the cell. they receive instructions in their dna. they learn as they go along. they all develop in exactly the same way.

Explanation:

DNA contains the genetic instructions that guide the development and functioning of cells. It determines the characteristics and behaviors of cells, including how they develop within a multicellular organism. Cells do not follow an external pattern (they have internal genetic programming), they do not "learn" in the sense described here (it's genetic - based), and they do not all develop exactly the same way (differentiation occurs based on DNA - regulated processes).

Answer:

They receive instructions in their DNA.