| microfilament proteins | Filaments which are composed primarily of actin and found in the cytoplasmic matrix of almost all cells. They are often associated with microtubules and may play a role in cytoskeletal function and/or mediate movement of the cell or the organelles within the cell. (12 Dec 1998) |
|---|---|
| microfilaments | The smallest of the cytoskeletal filaments. They are composed chiefly of actin and/or myosin. (12 Dec 1998) |
| microfilaraemia | Infection of the blood with microfilariae. Microfilaraemia caused by Wuchereria bancrofti is characterised by sharp nocturnal periodicity, apparently tied to the nocturnal habits of the vector mosquitoes; in geographic areas where mosquitoes are not strictly night-biters (as in parts of Polynesia), the microfilarial periodicity is modified or absent. See: periodic filariasis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| microfilaria | The prelarval stage of filarioidea in the blood and other tissues of mammals and birds. They are removed from these hosts by blood-sucking insects in which they metamorphose into mature larvae. (12 Dec 1998) |
| microfilarial sheath | The membrane surrounding the embryos of certain blood-borne microfilariae, such as Wuchereria, Brugia, and Loa of humans; thought to be derived from the vitelline membrane. (05 Mar 2000) |
| microfilm | 1. A photographic film bearing greatly reduced images of printed records. 2. To record on microfilm. (05 Mar 2000) |
| microflora | The bacteria and fungi that inhabit an area. (05 Mar 2000) |
| microfollicular adenoma | <tumour> A foetal adenoma of the thyroid composed of very small follicles and solid alveolar groups of thyroid epithelial cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| microfollicular goiter | Goiter in which the glandular tissue consists of unusually small colloid filled follicles and areas of undifferentiated tissue with indistinct follicle formation. (05 Mar 2000) |
| microform | <biology> A microscopic form of life; an animal or vegetable organism microscopic size. Origin: Micro- + form, n. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
| microgamete | The male element in anisogamy, or conjugation of cells of unequal size; it is the smaller of the two cells and actively motile. Origin: micro-+ G. Gametes, husband (05 Mar 2000) |
| microgametocyte | The mother cell producing the microgametes, or male elements of sexual reproduction in sporozoan protozoans and fungi. Synonym: microgamont. (05 Mar 2000) |
| microgametophyte | <plant biology> A plant body or cell lineage, formed by vegetative growth of the microspore, that produces the male gametes of a heterosporous plant. (09 Oct 1997) |
| microgamont | The mother cell producing the microgametes, or male elements of sexual reproduction in sporozoan protozoans and fungi. Synonym: microgamont. (05 Mar 2000) |
| microgamy | Conjugation between two young cells, the recent product of sporulation or some other form of reproduction. Origin: micro-+ G. Gamos, marriage (05 Mar 2000) |