| cell | <cell biology> An autonomous self replicating unit (in principle) that may constitute an organism (in the case of unicellular organisms) or be a sub unit of multicellular organisms in which individual cells may be more or less specialised differentiated) for particular functions. The individual units from which tissues of the body are formed. All living organisms are composed of one or more cells. (26 Mar 1998) |
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| cell adhesion | See: adhesins, cadherins, cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), contact sites A, DLVO theory, integrins, sorting out, uvomorulin and various specialised junctions (adherens junctions, desmosomes, focal adhesions, gap junction and zonula occludens). (18 Nov 1997) |
| cell adhesion kinase | <enzyme> From hela cells; involved in cell-cell interactions; genbank l20817 Registry number: EC 2.7.1.- Synonym: cak protein (26 Jun 1999) |
| cell adhesion molecule | <molecular biology> Although this could mean any molecule involved in cellular adhesive phenomena, it has acquired a more restricted sense, namely a molecule on the surface of animal tissue cells, antibodies (or Fab fragments) against that specifically inhibit some form of intercellular adhesion. Examples are Liver Cell Adhesion Molecule and Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule, both named from tissues in which first detected, although their occurrence is not in fact restricted to these. Acronym: CAM (26 Nov 1998) |
| cell adhesion molecules | Surface ligands, usually glycoproteins, that mediate cell-to-cell adhesion. Their functions include the assembly and interconnection of various vertebrate systems, as well as maintenance of tissue integration, wound healing, morphogenic movements, cellular migrations, and metastasis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cell adhesion molecules, neuronal | Surface ligands that mediate cell-to-cell adhesion and function in the assembly and interconnection of the vertebrate nervous system. These molecules promote cell adhesion via a homophilic mechanism. These are not to be confused with ncam (neural cell adhesion molecule), now known to be expressed in a variety of tissues and cell types in addition to nervous tissue. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cell adhesion molecules, neuron-glia | Cell adhesion molecules that mediate neuron-neuron adhesion and neuron-astrocyte adhesion. They are expressed on neurons and schwann cells, but not astrocytes and are involved in neuronal migration, neurite fasciculation, and outgrowth. Ng-cam is immunologically and structurally distinct from ncam (neural cell adhesion molecules). (12 Dec 1998) |
| cell aggregation | The phenomenon by which dissociated cells intermixed in vitro tend to group themselves with cells of their own type. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cell aging | The decrease in the cell's ability to proliferate with the passing of time. Each cell is programmed for a certain number of cell divisions and at the end of that time proliferation halts. The cell enters a quiescent state after which it experiences cell death via the process of apoptosis. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cell behaviour | <cell biology> General term for activities of whole cells such as movement, adhesion and proliferation, by analogy with animal behaviour. (18 Nov 1997) |
| cell biology | <study> The study of the internal workings of cells at the microscopic and molecular level - it is closely linked to molecular biology. (16 Dec 1997) |
| cell body | Used in reference to neurons, the main part of the cell around the nucleus excluding long processes such as axons and dendrites. (18 Nov 1997) |
| cell-bound antibody | A term used for antibody on the surface of cells that may be bound either through antigen combining sites or other sites such as the Fc region. (05 Mar 2000) |
| renal cell cancer | Cancer that develops in the lining of the renal tubules, which filter the blood and produce urine. Also called renal cell carcinoma. (12 Dec 1998) |
| renal cell carcinoma | <oncology, tumour> The most common form of kidney cancer which occurs when the cells lining the renal tubule undergo cancerous changes. There are approximately 18,000 new cases of renal cell carcinoma (hypernephroma) per year in the U.S. With about 8,000 deaths annually. Smoking is considered a major risk factor. Kidney dialysis patients are at increased risk for the development of hypernephroma. Family history for renal cell carcinoma is also considered a risk factor. Symptoms include haematuria, flank pain, abdominal pain, back pain, weight loss and abdominal swelling. (27 Sep 1997) |