COATED PIT Meaning and
Definition
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A coated pit is a specialized region found on the plasma membrane of cells that plays a vital role in cellular processes such as endocytosis. It is referred to as a pit due to its invagination or inward folding nature, which gives it a shallow, concave appearance. Coated pits are characterized by the presence of a protein coat composed of clathrin molecules.
Clathrin is a distinctively shaped protein that assembles into a lattice structure, forming a coat that lines the inside surface of the coated pit. This clathrin coat contributes to the unique morphology and function of the pit. The protein coat provides stability to the invaginating plasma membrane and aids in concentrating and segregating specific molecules involved in endocytosis.
Coated pits serve as crucial entry points for substances to enter the cells through the process of endocytosis. Macromolecules such as hormones, nutrients, or cellular debris bind to receptors on the cell surface, which then cluster and accumulate within the coated pit. The invagination deepens, eventually pinching off to form a membrane-bound vesicle known as a coated vesicle. This coated vesicle can then transport its cargo from the extracellular environment inside the cell for further processing, sorting, or degradation.
The process of endocytosis mediated by coated pits is essential for a variety of cellular functions, including nutrient uptake, receptor-mediated signaling, and the removal of pathogens or cellular waste. Coated pits play a pivotal role in maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating the internal environment of the cell.
Common Misspellings for COATED PIT
- xoated pit
- voated pit
- foated pit
- doated pit
- ciated pit
- ckated pit
- clated pit
- cpated pit
- c0ated pit
- c9ated pit
- cozted pit
- costed pit
- cowted pit
- coqted pit
- coared pit
- coafed pit
- coaged pit
- coayed pit
- coa6ed pit
- coa5ed pit
Etymology of COATED PIT
The term "coated pit" originated from the field of cell biology and refers to a specific structure found in cells called a clathrin-coated pit.
The word "pit" can be traced back to the Old English word "pytt", which referred to a small hole or cavity in the ground. In the context of biology, a pit is a small depression or invagination on the cell surface.
The term "coated" refers to the presence of a protein coat, specifically clathrin, which surrounds the pit. "Coated" itself comes from the Old French word "coate" or "cote", which meant a covering or outer layer.
Therefore, the etymology of "coated pit" can be understood as a combination of the Old English "pit" meaning a small hole and the Old French "coated" representing a covering or outer layer.
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