DENDRITIC CELLS Meaning and
Definition
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Dendritic cells are a type of specialized immune cells that play a critical role in the body's immune response against pathogens, viruses, and tumors. These cells are named after their unique shape, which resembles branching structures or dendrites.
Dendritic cells are found in various tissues throughout the body, particularly in areas that are in contact with the external environment such as the skin, respiratory tract, and the lining of the gut. Their main function is to capture, process, and present antigens to other immune cells, such as T cells and B cells, in order to stimulate an immune response.
When dendritic cells encounter foreign substances or pathogens, they engulf and process them into smaller fragments known as antigens. These antigens are then presented on the surface of the dendritic cell, bound to specialized molecules called major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. This antigen-MHC complex acts as a signal to other immune cells, alerting them to the presence of a foreign invader.
Dendritic cells also play a crucial role in orchestrating the immune response. They are equipped with receptors that can detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). This allows them to recognize the presence of infections, tissue damage, or abnormal cell growth, and initiate the appropriate immune response.
In summary, dendritic cells are key players in the immune system, functioning as antigen-presenting cells and coordinators of immune responses. Their ability to capture, process, and present antigens makes them essential in mounting appropriate immune responses against pathogens and cancerous cells.
Common Misspellings for DENDRITIC CELLS
- sendritic cells
- xendritic cells
- cendritic cells
- fendritic cells
- rendritic cells
- eendritic cells
- dwndritic cells
- dsndritic cells
- ddndritic cells
- drndritic cells
- d4ndritic cells
- d3ndritic cells
- debdritic cells
- demdritic cells
- dejdritic cells
- dehdritic cells
- densritic cells
- denxritic cells
- dencritic cells
- denfritic cells
Etymology of DENDRITIC CELLS
The word "dendritic" in dendritic cells is derived from the Greek word "dendron", which means "tree". This term is used because dendritic cells have branch-like or tree-like projections called dendrites on their cell surface. These dendrites allow the cells to efficiently capture and process antigens, which are foreign substances that trigger an immune response in the body.
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