Intracellular is a common term used in biology to describe activities or components that occur inside a cell. The phonetic transcription for this word is ɪn.trəˈsɛl.jʊ.lər. The first syllable 'in' is pronounced like the word 'sin' without the 's'. The 'tr' sound is followed by a short 'u' sound and an 'ə' schwa sound. The second syllable starts with 's' and is followed by a short 'ɛ' sound and then a 'l' sound. The final syllable has a 'j' sound, followed by a short 'ʊ' sound, an 'l' sound, and an 'ə' schwa sound.
Intracellular is an adjective that refers to something that exists, occurs, or takes place within the cells of living organisms. It relates to processes, structures, or substances within the confines of a cell.
The term intracellular is commonly used in biology and medicine to describe various cellular activities or components. For instance, intracellular communication refers to the transmission and reception of signals between different cell structures or organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria. Intracellular transport describes the movement of molecules or particles within the cell, facilitated by specialized cellular structures like microtubules or motor proteins. Furthermore, intracellular pathogens are microorganisms that reside and replicate within host cells, often causing diseases.
Intracellular processes are fundamental to the functioning of living organisms. For example, intracellular metabolism encompasses the various biochemical reactions that occur within the cell to obtain energy, produce proteins, or synthesize important molecules. Information contained within the DNA molecules is transmitted and translated into functional proteins through intracellular processes such as transcription and translation. Furthermore, intracellular signaling pathways regulate and coordinate cellular responses to external stimuli, allowing cells to adapt and respond to changes in their environment.
Understanding intracellular mechanisms and components is crucial in various fields of study, including cell biology, biochemistry, genetics, and pharmacology. By investigating intracellular processes, scientists can gain insights into the functions of cells and develop targeted interventions for various diseases or disorders.
Within a cell or cells.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Within cells-applied to the formation of cells within cells.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "intracellular" is derived from two Latin roots: "intra" meaning "within" and "cellula" meaning "small room" or "cell". The suffix "-ar" is added to form an adjective, and the resulting word "intracellular" refers to something that is located or occurring within a cell.