cell-free
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Lacking cells; not containing or composed of cells: Describes a substance, system, or preparation from which intact cells have been removed, leaving behind the molecular components (like proteins, DNA, or organelles) that were inside them.
Usage
- The term "cell-free" is used as an attributive adjective, meaning it is placed directly before a noun to describe it.
- It is primarily used in scientific and technical contexts, especially in biology, biochemistry, and biotechnology.
Examples
- Adjective:
- Scientists developed a cell-free protein synthesis system.
- The experiment requires a cell-free extract from the bacteria.
- They analyzed the cell-free DNA found in the blood sample.
Advanced Usage
- "Cell-free" in research: Refers to experimental systems that bypass the use of living cells to study biological processes. These systems allow for greater control over experimental conditions.
- Cell-free transcription and translation is a powerful tool for synthetic biology.
- "Cell-free" in medicine: Often used to describe biological components, like DNA or RNA, circulating in bodily fluids outside of cells.
- Cell-free fetal DNA testing is a non-invasive prenatal screening method.
Variants and Related Words
- Cell-free system (noun phrase): A laboratory setup that contains the necessary biological machinery from cells but not the cells themselves, used to conduct biochemical reactions.
- Cell-free extract (noun phrase): A liquid preparation made by breaking open cells and removing the cell debris, containing the soluble molecules and organelles.
- Acellular (adjective): A more general synonym meaning "not consisting of or divided into cells."
Synonyms
- Acellular: Not composed of or containing cells.
- Non-cellular: Not involving or made of cells.
Antonyms
- Cellular: Consisting of or containing cells.
- Cell-based: Involving or using intact living cells.
Adjective
- lacking cells
- cell-free systems
- a cell-free homogenate of the thyroid