Cell migration
Cell Migration
Cell migration (pronunciation: /sɛl maɪˈɡreɪʃən/) is a biological process that involves the movement of cells from one location to another. It plays a crucial role in a variety of physiological and pathological processes.
Etymology
The term "cell migration" is derived from the Latin cellula meaning "a small room" and the Latin migratio meaning "moving from one place to another".
Definition
Cell migration is the process by which cells move from one location to another, often towards a specific target. This movement is guided by various chemical and physical signals in the organism's environment.
Process
Cell migration involves several steps: polarization, protrusion, adhesion, contraction, and retraction. Each of these steps is regulated by a complex network of molecular signals and cellular structures.
Role in Physiology and Pathology
In physiology, cell migration is essential for various processes such as embryonic development, wound healing, and immune response. In pathology, abnormal cell migration can lead to diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammatory diseases.
Related Terms
- Chemotaxis: The movement of an organism or cell in response to a chemical stimulus.
- Haptotaxis: The directional migration of cells along a gradient of substrate-bound chemoattractant.
- Cell polarity: The asymmetric organization of cellular components that influences the direction of cell migration.
- Cell adhesion: The process by which cells interact and attach to a surface, substrate or another cell.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cell migration
- Wikipedia's article - Cell migration
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