Pronunciation: [mˈa͡ɪə͡ʊnˌiːm] (IPA) 
The word "myoneme" is spelled with five letters, starting with the consonant "m" and followed by two consecutive vowels "yo". The first vowel sound is pronounced as /aɪ/ and the second vowel sound is pronounced as /əʊ/. Then, it is followed by the consonant "n" and the vowel "e" pronounced as /iː/. Myoneme is a term in cell biology that represents a contractile unit of skeletal muscle.
Myoneme refers to a structural and contractile component found in certain organisms, especially in ciliates and flagellates. It is a specialized thread-like structure composed of contractile protein filaments, usually actin and myosin, which are responsible for generating the force required for the movement of these organisms.
The myoneme functions by undergoing a coordinated sliding motion of its protein filaments, typically propelled by the energy released from the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This sliding movement causes the bending or undulating of the entire organism, resulting in locomotion or the movement of fluid or particles in the surrounding environment.
In ciliates, such as Paramecium, myonemes are responsible for the movement of cilia, which are numerous hair-like structures that cover the cell surface. These cilia beat in a synchronous manner, creating wave-like motions that enable the organism to move through its environment and facilitate processes like feeding and sensing.
In flagellates, which possess one or a few long whip-like flagella, myonemes are responsible for the undulating movements of the flagella, propelling the organism forward through a fluid environment. This enables flagellates like Euglena and sperm cells to swim.
Overall, myoneme is a critical structure necessary for the motility and locomotion of certain organisms, allowing them to navigate their surroundings, acquire food, interact with their environment, and perform various vital functions.
1. A process formed of differentiated ectoplasm, having contractile properties, in certain protozoa. 2. A muscle-fibril.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "myoneme" is a scientific term that originates from the Greek language.
The prefix "myo-" derives from the Greek word "myos", meaning "muscle". This prefix is commonly used in scientific vocabulary related to muscles, such as myoglobin (a muscle protein) or myopathy (a disease affecting muscle tissue).
The suffix "-neme" also has its roots in Greek, stemming from the word "nemein", which means "to manage" or "to distribute". It is often associated with terms related to structures or systems of the body, such as genome (the complete set of genetic material) or kinetosome (a cellular organelle involved in cell movement).
Considering this, the term "myoneme" can be understood as a combination of "myo-" (muscle) and "-neme" (structure/management), indicating a structural or functional entity within muscle tissue.
