CELLULAR LOCOMOTION Meaning and
Definition
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Cellular locomotion refers to the movement of cells or microorganisms by actively changing their shape or position within their surrounding environment. It is a fundamental biological process that allows cells to perform various functions, such as migration, tissue development, immune response, and wound healing. This movement is essential for cellular functions at both the microscopic and macroscopic levels.
The mechanism of cellular locomotion involves the coordinated interplay of cytoskeletal components, adhesion molecules, and molecular motors within the cell. The cytoskeleton, composed of microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments, provides structural support and aids in cell movement. Adhesion molecules, located on the cell surface, interact with the extracellular matrix or neighboring cells to facilitate attachment and detachment during locomotion. Molecular motors, including dyneins and myosins, generate the force necessary for cellular movement by converting chemical energy into mechanical work.
Various modes of cellular locomotion exist, including amoeboid movement, ciliary/flagellar movement, and epithelial cell migration. Amoeboid movement is characterized by the extension of pseudopodia, or temporary protrusions, allowing cells to crawl in a flexible manner. Ciliary and flagellar movement rely on the coordinated beating of hair-like structures called cilia or flagella, respectively, which propel the cell through a fluid medium. Epithelial cell migration occurs during wound healing or tissue development and involves the collective movement of cell sheets.
Cellular locomotion is a complex process that is tightly regulated and can be influenced by a myriad of factors, including chemotaxis, substrate stiffness, and cell-cell interactions. Understanding the mechanisms underlying cellular locomotion is crucial for elucidating fundamental cellular processes and can have significant implications in various fields such as developmental biology, immunology, and reg
Common Misspellings for CELLULAR LOCOMOTION
- xellular locomotion
- vellular locomotion
- fellular locomotion
- dellular locomotion
- cwllular locomotion
- csllular locomotion
- cdllular locomotion
- crllular locomotion
- c4llular locomotion
- c3llular locomotion
- ceklular locomotion
- ceplular locomotion
- ceolular locomotion
- celkular locomotion
- celpular locomotion
- celoular locomotion
- cellylar locomotion
- cellhlar locomotion
- celljlar locomotion
- cellilar locomotion
Etymology of CELLULAR LOCOMOTION
The etymology of the word "cellular" can be traced back to the Latin word "cellula", which means small room or chamber. The English word "cell" is derived from the same Latin root. In the context of biology, "cellular" refers to anything relating to or composed of cells.
The term "locomotion" comes from the Latin word "locomotio", which means movement. It is formed from the verb "locomovere", where "loco" means place and "movere" means to move.
Therefore, when combined, "cellular locomotion" refers to the movement or motion performed by individual cells.
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