EXOCYTOTIC VESICLE Meaning and
Definition
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An exocytotic vesicle, also known as a secretory vesicle, is a specialized cellular structure involved in the process of exocytosis. Exocytosis is the mechanism by which cells release molecules, such as hormones or neurotransmitters, to their extracellular environment. This dynamic process plays a crucial role in various physiological and pathological processes within organisms' bodies.
An exocytotic vesicle is essentially a small, membrane-bound sac originating from the Golgi apparatus, a cellular organelle involved in protein modification and trafficking. These vesicles store and transport various substances, such as proteins or hormones, to be released from the cell. They are typically spherical in shape and can vary in size depending on the cargo they contain.
The formation of exocytotic vesicles involves complex cellular machinery, including proteins responsible for vesicle budding and fusion. When stimulated, the vesicle fuses with the cell membrane, resulting in the release of its contents into the extracellular space. This process requires precise regulation and coordination to ensure proper release timing and target specificity.
Exocytotic vesicles are particularly critical in cellular communication, as they allow cells to communicate and coordinate responses with their surroundings. For example, neurotransmitters released from vesicles at synapses are essential for nerve cell communication and signal transmission. Additionally, secretory vesicles release hormones into the bloodstream, influencing a wide range of physiological processes throughout the body.
Overall, exocytotic vesicles are fundamental elements of cellular function and contribute significantly to the complex network of cellular communication and regulation within multicellular organisms.
Common Misspellings for EXOCYTOTIC VESICLE
- wxocytotic vesicle
- sxocytotic vesicle
- dxocytotic vesicle
- rxocytotic vesicle
- 4xocytotic vesicle
- 3xocytotic vesicle
- ezocytotic vesicle
- ecocytotic vesicle
- esocytotic vesicle
- exicytotic vesicle
- exkcytotic vesicle
- exlcytotic vesicle
- expcytotic vesicle
- ex0cytotic vesicle
- ex9cytotic vesicle
- exoxytotic vesicle
- exovytotic vesicle
- exofytotic vesicle
- exodytotic vesicle
- exocttotic vesicle
Etymology of EXOCYTOTIC VESICLE
The word "exocytotic vesicle" is composed of two main components: "exocytotic" and "vesicle".
1. "Exocytotic" is derived from the term "exocytosis", which refers to a process in cell biology where secretory vesicles fuse with the cell membrane and release their contents to the outside of the cell. The prefix "exo-" means "outward" or "external", while "cytosis" is derived from the Greek word "kýtos", meaning "cell".
2. "Vesicle" comes from the Latin word "vesicula", which means "a small bladder" or "bladder-like structure". In biology, a vesicle is a small organelle or sac within a cell that contains various substances.
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