| cell locomotion | <cell biology> Movement of a cell from one place to another. (26 Mar 1998) |
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| 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 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) |
| cell organelle | <cell biology> A structurally discrete component of a cell. (18 Nov 1997) |
| cell physiology | Characteristics and physiological processes of cells from cell division to cell death. (12 Dec 1998) |
| cell plate | <plant biology> Region in which the new cell wall forms after the division of a plant cell. In the plane of the equator of the spindle a disc like structure, the phragmoplast forms, into which are inserted pole derived microtubules. Golgi derived vesicles containing pectin come together and fuse at the plate which develops from the centre outwards and eventually fuses with the plasma membrane thereby separating the daughter cells. (26 Mar 1998) |
| cell polarity | 1. <cell biology> In epithelial cells the differentiation of apical and basal specialisations. In many epithelia the apical and baso lateral regions of plasma membrane differ in lipid and protein composition and are isolated from one another by tight junctions. The apical membrane may, for example: be the only region where secretory vesicles fuse or have a particular ionic pumping system. 2. A motile cell must have some internal polarity in order to move in one direction at a time: a region in which protrusion will occur (the front) must be defined. Locomotory polarity may be associated with the pericentriolar microtubule organising centre and can be perturbed by drugs that interfere with microtubule dynamics. (26 Mar 1998) |
| cell potential | <cell biology, physiology> The voltage of an electrochemical cell, the larger the cell potential, the greater the extent of reaction when equilibrium is reached. (26 Mar 1998) |
| APUD cell | <pathology> A group of apparently unrelated endocrine cells found throughout the body which have a number of similar characteristics and which make a number of hormones with similar structures (including serotonin, epinephrine, dopamine, neurotensin, and norepinephrine. See: Amine Precursor Uptake and Decarboxylation. (10 Jan 1998) |
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| argentaffin cell | So called because they will form cytoplasmic deposits of metallic silver from silver salts. Their characteristic histochemical behaviour arises from 5 HT, which they secrete. Found chiefly in the epithelium of the gastrointestinal tract (though possibly of neural crest origin) their function is rather obscure, although there is a widely distributed family of such paracrine (local endocrine) cells (APUD cells). (18 Nov 1997) |
| argyrophilic cell | <pathology> Cell's that bind silver salts but that precipitate silver only in the presence of a reducing agent. See: enteroendocrine cells. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Aschoff cell | A large cell component of rheumatic nodules in the myocardium with a characteristic nucleus and relatively little cytoplasm. (05 Mar 2000) |
| Askanazy cell | <pathology> Abnormal thyroid epithelial cells found in auto immune thyroiditis. The cubical cells line small acini and have eosinophilic granular cytoplasm and often bizarre nuclear morphology. Synonym: Hurthle cell, oxyphil cell, oncocyte. (18 Nov 1997) |
| astroglia cell | <pathology> A glial cell found in vertebrate brain, named for its characteristic star like shape. Astrocytes lend both mechanical and metabolic support for neurons, regulating the environment in which they function. See: oligodendrocytes. (18 Nov 1997) |
| atypical cell | Not usual, abnormal. Cancer is the result of atypical cell division. (09 Oct 1997) |
| bag cell neurons | <cell biology> Cluster of electrically coupled neurons in the abdominal ganglion of Aplysia that are homogeneous, easily dissected out and release peptides that stimulate egg laying. (18 Nov 1997) |
| balloon cell | An unusually large degenerated cell with pale-staining vacuolated or reticulated cytoplasm, as in viral hepatitis or in degenerated epidermal cell's in herpes zoster, a large form of nevus cell with abundant nonstaining cytoplasm, formed by vacular degeneration of melanosomes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| balloon cell nevus | A nevus in which many of the cells are large, with clear cytoplasm. (05 Mar 2000) |
| band cell | <pathology> Immature neutrophils released from the bone marrow reserve in response to acute demand. (18 Nov 1997) |
| b and t cell count | A test that measures the respective quantities of B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes. This test is often performed in the analysis of an immune deficiency disorder. Normal values include: 68 to 75% of total lymphocytes are T lymphocytes and 10 to 20% are B lymphocytes. Increased T-cell counts can indicate infectious mononucleosis, acute lymphocytic leukaemia or multiple myeloma. Increased B lymphocytes can indicate chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, multiple myeloma, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinaemia or Di George syndrome. Decreased T-cells may indicate congenital T-cell deficiency, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome or AIDS. Decreased B-cells may indicate acute lymphocytic leukaemia or a congenital immunoglobulin deficiency disorder. (27 Sep 1997) |
| basal cell | <pathology> General term for relatively undifferentiated cells in an epithelial sheet that give rise to more specialised cells act as stem cells). In the stratified squamous epithelium of mammalian skin the basal cells of the epidermis (stratum basale) give rise by an unequal division to another basal cell and to cells that progress through the spinous, granular and horny layers, becoming progressively more keratinised, the outermost being shed as squames. In olfactory mucosa the basal cells give rise to olfactory and sustentacular cells. In the epithelium of epididymis their function is unclear, but they probably serve as stem cells. (13 Nov 1997) |
| basal cell adenoma | <tumour> A benign tumour of major or minor salivary glands or other organs composed of small cells showing peripheral palisading. (05 Mar 2000) |
| basal cell carcinoma | <oncology, tumour> The most common form of skin cancer. A malignant growth of epidermal tissue, specifically basal cells. most common in the fair-skinned on sun-exposed areas (especially the face). (15 Nov 1997) |