CELLULAR MIGRATION Meaning and
Definition
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Cellular migration refers to the process by which cells move from one location to another within an organism. It is a fundamental biological phenomenon that plays essential roles in various developmental processes, tissue repair, and immune surveillance. This movement of cells is critical for maintaining tissue homeostasis, organ formation, and functioning.
During cellular migration, individual cells or a collective group of cells change their position within a tissue or organism by actively translocating themselves. They can exhibit different types of movement, such as crawling, twisting, squeezing, or stretching, depending on the cell type and environmental cues. This process involves a highly coordinated series of cellular events, including changes in cell adhesion, cytoskeletal reorganization, and signaling pathways.
Cellular migration plays a pivotal role in embryogenesis, where it contributes to the shaping and patterning of tissues and organs. It is also important in wound healing, as migrating cells, such as fibroblasts, rebuild damaged tissue by filling in the wound gap. Furthermore, immune cells perform cellular migration to reach sites of infection or injury, aiding in the inflammatory response and defense against pathogens.
Abnormal cellular migration can have severe implications for human health. It can result in developmental disorders, such as cleft palate or neural tube defects, impair tissue regeneration, and promote the spread of cancer cells. Understanding the mechanisms and regulation of cellular migration is crucial for advancing our knowledge of various biological processes and developing therapeutic strategies for related disorders.
Etymology of CELLULAR MIGRATION
The word "cellular migration" is a term used in biology to describe the process by which cells move from one location to another in an organism. The etymology of this term can be broken down as follows:
1. Cellular: The word "cellular" comes from the Latin word "cellula", which means "a small room or chamber". It is derived from the Latin word "cella", which means "small room". In the context of biology, "cellular" refers to anything related to cells, which are the basic structural and functional units of living organisms.
2. Migration: The word "migration" comes from the Latin word "migratio", which means "a going away, a departure". It is derived from the Latin word "migrare", which means "to move from one place to another".
