endocytosis

endocytosis
Internalization of substances from the extracellular environment through the formation of vesicles formed from the plasma membrane. There are two forms: (a) fluid phase (pinocytosis), and (b) receptor mediated. SEE ALSO: phagocytosis. Cf.:exocytosis (2). [endo- + G. kytos, cell, + -osis, condition]

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en·do·cy·to·sis -sī-'tō-səs n, pl -to·ses -.sēz incorporation of substances into a cell by phagocytosis or pinocytosis
en·do·cy·tose -'sī-.tōs, -.tōz vt, -tosed; -tos·ing
en·do·cy·tot·ic -sī-'tät-ik adj

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en·do·cy·to·sis (en″do-si-toґsis) [endo- + cyt- + -osis] the uptake by a cell of material from the environment by invagination of its plasma membrane; it includes both phagocytosis and pinocytosis.

Endocytosis. (A), Membrane receptors bind to specific molecules in the extracellular fluid; (B), a portion of the plasma membrane is pulled inward by the cytoskeleton, forming a small pocket around the material to be moved into the cell; (C), the edges of the pocket fuse to form a vesicle; (D), the vesicle is pulled inward, away from the plasma membrane, by the cytoskeleton.


Medical dictionary. 2011.

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Endocytosis — is a process where cells absorb material (molecules such as proteins) from the outside by engulfing it with their cell membrane. It is used by all cells of the body because most substances important to them are large polar molecules, and thus… …   Wikipedia

  • endocytosis — endocytosis. См. эндоцитоз. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • endocytosis — [en΄dōsī tō′sis] n. a process in which a cell engulfs a large molecule, bacterium, etc. and forms a vesicle around it: opposed to EXOCYTOSIS endocytic [en΄dōsit′ik] adj. endocytose [en΄dosī′tōs΄, en΄dō sī′tōz΄] vt., vi. endocytosed, endocytosing… …   English World dictionary

  • endocytosis — noun Etymology: New Latin, from end + cytosis (as in phagocytosis) Date: 1963 incorporation of substances into a cell by phagocytosis or pinocytosis • endocytotic adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • endocytosis — n. [Gr. endon, within; kytos, container] Ingestion of particulate matter or fluid by phagocytosis or pinocytosis …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • endocytosis — (en do si to sis) The process in which a cell takes up solutes or particles by enclosing them in vesicles pinched off from its plasma membrane …   Dictionary of microbiology

  • endocytosis — Uptake of material into a cell by the formation of a membrane bound vesicle …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • endocytosis — endocytic /en doh sit ik/, endocytotic /en doh suy tot ik/, adj. /en doh suy toh sis/, n. Physiol. the transport of solid matter or liquid into a cell by means of a coated vacuole or vesicle (distinguished from exocytosis). Cf. phagocytosis,… …   Universalium

  • endocytosis — noun The process by which the plasma membrane of a cell folds inwards to ingest material. See Also: endocytic, endocytose, endocytosed, endocytotic …   Wiktionary

  • endocytosis — [ˌɛndəʊsʌɪ təʊsɪs] noun Biology the taking in of matter by a living cell by enclosing it in a vacuole. Derivatives endocytotic adjective …   English new terms dictionary

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