| cell line, transformed | Eukaryotic cell line obtained in a quiescent or stationary phase which undergoes conversion to a state of unregulated growth in culture, resembling an in vitro tumour. It occurs spontaneously or through interaction with viruses, oncogenes, radiation, or drugs/chemicals. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| cell locomotion | <cell biology> Movement of a cell from one place to another. (26 Mar 1998) |
| cell marker | <cell biology> Biochemical or genetic characteristics which distinguish and discriminate between different cell types. (26 Mar 1998) |
| cell matrix | A fluid cytoplasmic substance filling the interstices of the cytoskeleton. Synonym: cell matrix, cytomatrix. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cell-mediated immunity | <immunology> Immune response that involves effector T lymphocytes and not the production of humoral antibody. Responsible for allograft rejection, delayed hypersensitivity and in defence against viral infection and intracellular protozoan parasites. (26 Mar 1998) |
| cell-mediated reaction | Immunological reaction of the delayed type, involving chiefly T lymphocytes, important in host defense against infection, in autoimmune diseases, and in transplant rejection. See: skin test. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cell membrane | <cell biology> The structure enveloping a cell, enclosing the cytoplasm and forming a selective permeability barrier. It consists of lipids, proteins and some carbohydrates, the lipids thought to form a bilayer in which integral proteins are embedded to varying degrees. Synonym: plasma membrane. (26 Mar 1998) |
| cell membrane permeability | A quality of cell membranes which permits the passage of solvents and solutes into and out of cells. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cell migration | <cell biology> Implies movement of a population of cells from one place to another as in the movement of neural crest cells during morphogenesis. (26 Mar 1998) |
| cell migration inhibition | Phenomenon of cell-mediated immunity measured by in vitro inhibition of the migration or phagocytosis of antigen-stimulated leukocytes or macrophages. Specific assays have been developed to estimate levels of migration-inhibitory factor, immune reactivity against tumour-associated antigens, and immunosuppressive effects of infectious microorganisms. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cell movement | <cell biology> A more general term than locomotion, that can include shape change, cytoplasmic streaming etc. (26 Mar 1998) |
| cell nucleolus | Within most types of eukaryotic cell nucleus, a distinct region, not delimited by a membrane, in which some species of rrna (RNA, ribosomal) are synthesised and assembled into ribonucleoprotein subunits of ribosomes. In the nucleolus rrna is transcribed from a nucleolar organiser, i.e., a group of tandemly repeated chromosomal genes which encode rrna and which are transcribed by RNA polymerase I. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cell nucleus | Within a eukaryotic cell, a membrane-limited body which contains chromosomes and one or more nucleoli (cell nucleolus). The nuclear membrane consists of a double unit-type membrane which is perforated by a number of pores; the outermost membrane is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum. A cell may contain more than one nucleus. (12 Dec 1998) |
| P cell | A characteristic specialised cell, with probable pacemaker function, found in the S-A node and A-V junction. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cell organelle | <cell biology> A structurally discrete component of a cell. (18 Nov 1997) |