IMMORTAL CELL Meaning and
Definition
-
An immortal cell refers to a type of cell that possesses a unique characteristic of defying the natural process of senescence, which is the gradual deterioration and loss of function that occurs as an organism ages. These cells have the extraordinary ability to continuously divide and replicate without undergoing senescence or cellular death. Unlike normal cells that have a limited replicative capacity and eventually enter a stage called replicative senescence, immortal cells can indefinitely sustain their division, making them seemingly "immortal."
The concept of immortal cells is often associated with cancer cells, as they exhibit this unlimited proliferative potential. Cancer cells acquire immortality through various mechanisms, such as mutations in genes controlling cell division or the ability to evade cell death mechanisms. This trait enables cancer cells to grow uncontrollably, forming tumors that can invade nearby tissues and spread to distant sites in the body.
Moreover, immortal cells can also be artificially induced and derived in laboratory settings. These cells, known as immortalized cells, are typically created by modifying normal cells through genetic manipulation or viral infection. The resulting immortalized cells retain some characteristics of their original counterparts but possess the ability to divide indefinitely, making them useful tools for scientific research and medical applications.
In summary, an immortal cell is a type of cell that possesses the remarkable ability to divide indefinitely, avoiding the natural process of senescence and cellular death. While associated with cancer cells, immortal cells can also be created artificially for research purposes.
Common Misspellings for IMMORTAL CELL
- ummortal cell
- jmmortal cell
- kmmortal cell
- ommortal cell
- 9mmortal cell
- 8mmortal cell
- inmortal cell
- ikmortal cell
- ijmortal cell
- imnortal cell
- imkortal cell
- imjortal cell
- immirtal cell
- immkrtal cell
- immlrtal cell
- immprtal cell
- imm0rtal cell
- imm9rtal cell
- immoetal cell
- immodtal cell
Etymology of IMMORTAL CELL
The word "immortal" originates from the Latin word "immortalis", which is a combination of "in-" (meaning "not") and "mortalis" (meaning "mortal"). The term "cell" comes from the Latin word "cellula", which means "small room" or "small compartment". When combined, "immortal cell" refers to a type of cell that does not die or undergo the normal process of aging and death.
