WordGarden.iointracellular
C2Pronunciation
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- /ˌɪntrɑˈsɛljələr/
Meanings
Adjective
located or occurring inside a cell or cells
Beyond the definition
Imagine your body as a huge city, with each cell like a small building full of activity. "Intracellular" describes something that is happening inside one of those buildings, inside the cell itself. It refers to things found or taking place within the cell membrane, not outside the cell or between cells.
Scientists often use this word when talking about processes such as protein synthesis, DNA replication, or signaling inside a cell. You might also read about intracellular parasites or intracellular transport, both of which involve something living or moving within a cell.
"Intracellular" comes from the Latin words "intra," meaning "within," and "cellula," meaning "small room" (a historical reference to the discovery of cells!). It refers to anything located inside a cell – the fundamental unit of life. This isn't just about physical location; it encompasses all the processes, structures, and substances contained within the cell's membrane.
In biology and medicine, "intracellular" is important for understanding how organisms function at their most basic level. For example, researchers might study intracellular calcium levels to understand how cells respond to signals, or investigate intracellular pathogens such as viruses or certain bacteria that invade and reproduce inside host cells. Understanding intracellular processes is also important for developing treatments for disease, because many drugs target specific molecules within cells.
The term often appears in scientific contexts discussing cellular biology, biochemistry, immunology, and pharmacology. You might encounter phrases like "intracellular fluid" (the liquid within a cell), "intracellular transport" (how materials move inside the cell), or "intracellular communication" (signaling between different parts of the cell).
So, whenever you hear "intracellular," think inside the cell – it's a window into the microscopic world where life's most essential processes unfold.
Examples
- 1
Microscopy
The microscope showed small intracellular droplets of fat.
- 2
Cell measurement
Researchers measured intracellular calcium levels after they added the hormone.
- 3
Cell signaling
The treatment works by blocking an intracellular signaling pathway.
- Domainintracellular signaling pathway
a chain of chemical messages inside a cell
- 4
Immune system
Intracellular pathogens can hide from some parts of the immune system.
See also
Similar
- within a cell
- inside the cell
Shades of meaning
- subcellular
- cytoplasmic
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- intracellular fluid
- intracellular signaling
- intracellular pathogen
- intracellular concentration
Word family
- intracellularly
- intra-
Explore
- cell membrane
- cytosol
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- intracellularadjective