| monolayering of cell | <cell biology> Tendency of animal tissue cells growing on solid surfaces to cover the surface with a complete layer only one cell thick, before growing on top of each other. This nonrandom distribution is generated by contact inhibition of locomotion, a phenomenon in which colliding cells change direction rather than move over one another. Of the theories why some (but by no means all) types of cells stop growing when a monolayer is formed, present evidence favours limitation by supply of growth factors from the medium, rather than any inhibitory effect of contact on growth. (18 Nov 1997) |
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