FILOPODIUM Meaning and
Definition
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A filopodium refers to a thin, rod-like, and highly elongated protrusion found on the surface of various cells, particularly in animal cells. Filopodia (plural form) are composed of bundled actin filaments that extend from the cell membrane and exhibit dynamic properties. These delicate structures play crucial roles in various biological processes involving cell migration, adhesion, and sensing the cell's surroundings.
Filopodia serve as sensitive antennae for cells, allowing them to explore and interact with their environment. These long, finger-like projections enable cells to actively probe their surroundings, facilitating the detection of external cues such as chemical gradients, mechanical cues, or other cells with which they may interact.
The formation and extension of filopodia are regulated by various intracellular proteins, including those involved in actin dynamics and membrane remodeling. Proteins such as filamin and fascin are responsible for bundling the actin filaments in filopodia, providing structural support and stability. They also interact with various signaling molecules to regulate the growth and function of filopodia.
Filopodia are commonly observed in a wide range of cell types, including nerve cells, fibroblasts, immune cells, and other migrating cells. Their formation and dynamics are tightly regulated and can be influenced by extracellular factors such as growth factors, chemokines, and cell-cell interactions. The ability of cells to extend and retract filopodia is essential for processes such as cell migration during development, wound healing, and immune response.
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A slender, filamentous pseudopodium.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for FILOPODIUM
- dilopodium
- cilopodium
- vilopodium
- gilopodium
- tilopodium
- rilopodium
- fulopodium
- fjlopodium
- fklopodium
- folopodium
- f9lopodium
- f8lopodium
- fikopodium
- fipopodium
- fioopodium
- filipodium
- filkpodium
- fillpodium
- filppodium
- fil0podium
Etymology of FILOPODIUM
The word "filopodium" comes from the combination of two Greek words: "filos" meaning "thread" or "thread-like", and "podion" meaning "foot" or "little foot". The term was first used in the early 20th century in the field of biology to describe the thin, elongated protrusions or feet-like extensions that cells develop for various functions such as cell movement, adhesion, or sensing the surrounding environment.
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