intercellular
/,intə'seljulə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Located between cells: Describes something that exists, occurs, or is situated in the spaces separating individual cells within a tissue or organism.
Usage
The adjective "intercellular" is used primarily in scientific contexts, especially biology, histology, and medicine, to describe substances, spaces, communication, or processes that are found or happen between cells. It is the opposite of "intracellular" (located inside a cell).
Examples
- Adjective:
- The intercellular fluid provides nutrients to the cells.
- Plant cells have intercellular spaces that allow for gas exchange.
- Intercellular signaling is crucial for coordinating tissue function.
Advanced Usage
- "Intercellular adhesion": The binding or sticking of cells to each other.
- Proteins like cadherins are essential for intercellular adhesion in epithelial tissues.
- "Intercellular matrix" or "Intercellular substance": The material that fills the spaces between cells in a tissue.
- Collagen is a key component of the intercellular matrix in connective tissue.
Variants and Related Words
- Intercellularly (adverb): In an intercellular manner; between cells.
- The signal is transmitted intercellularly via gap junctions.
- Intracellular (adjective): Located or occurring inside a cell or cells. (Antonym)
- Intracellular organelles include the nucleus and mitochondria.
Synonyms
- Extracellular: Located or occurring outside a cell or cells. (Note: "Extracellular" can sometimes overlap with "intercellular" but often refers more broadly to the environment outside the cell membrane, which includes the space between cells.)
- Interstitial: Relating to or situated in the interstices (small spaces) of a tissue. (Often used in similar contexts, especially in medicine.)
Related Phrases / Compound Terms
- Intercellular communication: The various ways cells send signals to each other.
- Intercellular space: The physical gap or area between adjacent cells.
Adjective
- located between cells