BLAST CELL Meaning and
Definition
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A blast cell, also known as a blastocyte or a blast, is a type of immature or undifferentiated cell that is found in the early stages of development in various biological systems. It is commonly observed in embryology, hematology, and immunology.
In embryology, a blast cell refers to the initial stage of cellular development following fertilization. It is a single cell that begins to divide rapidly, giving rise to a cluster of cells called a blastocyst. This cluster eventually becomes the embryo. Blast cells are characterized by their high potential for differentiation, meaning they can differentiate into specialized cell types found in different tissues and organs. This pluripotency allows them to give rise to different cell lineages during development.
In hematology, blast cells are primarily associated with blood-related disorders, such as leukemia. When the normal maturation and differentiation process of blood cells are disrupted, blast cells can accumulate in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. These aberrant blast cells are usually larger in size and have abnormal morphology compared to their normal counterparts. The presence of blast cells in the bloodstream is a key diagnostic criterion for various types of leukemia.
In immunology, blast cells are observed during the immune response. When encountering an antigen, lymphocytes undergo rapid proliferation and differentiation to form effector cells or memory cells. These activated lymphocytes, known as blast cells, display enlarged size and increased metabolic activity, indicating their involvement in mounting an immune response.
Overall, blast cells are crucial entities in developmental biology, hematological disorders, and immune responses, highlighting their significant roles in various biological processes.
Common Misspellings for BLAST CELL
- vlast cell
- nlast cell
- hlast cell
- glast cell
- bkast cell
- bpast cell
- boast cell
- blzst cell
- blsst cell
- blwst cell
- blqst cell
- blaat cell
- blazt cell
- blaxt cell
- bladt cell
- blaet cell
- blawt cell
- blasr cell
- blasf cell
- blasg cell
Etymology of BLAST CELL
The term "blast cell" comes from the word "blast" combined with "cell".
The word "blast" can be traced back to the Old English word "blæst" which means "blowing" or "breath". It is related to the Middle Dutch word "blast" and the Old Norse word "blastr".
In medical terminology, the word "blast" is used to describe immature or undifferentiated cells that have the potential to develop into different types of specialized cells. It is derived from the concept that these cells have the ability to "blow" or differentiate into various cell types.
The term "cell" originates from the Latin word "cella" meaning "small room" or "cell". It was first used in biology to describe the basic structural and functional unit of living organisms.
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