Filopodium
Filopodium
Filopodium (pronunciation: /fɪləˈpɒdɪəm/; plural: filopodia) is a slender cytoplasmic projection that extends from the leading edge of migrating cells or from the dendritic shafts of neurons.
Etymology
The term "filopodium" is derived from the Latin words filum, meaning "thread", and podium, meaning "foot".
Definition
A filopodium is a thin, finger-like protrusion that extends from the cell body. It is composed of parallel bundles of actin filaments, which are enclosed by a sheath of plasma membrane. Filopodia are involved in a variety of cellular processes, including cell motility, cell adhesion, and environmental sensing.
Function
Filopodia play a crucial role in cell migration by probing the cell's environment and helping the cell to move towards attractive cues. They also participate in the formation of synapses in neurons and in the process of phagocytosis.
Related Terms
- Actin: A protein that forms the microfilaments of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton and plays an important role in cell movement, shape, and internal organization.
- Plasma Membrane: The lipid bilayer that encloses the cytoplasm of a cell, separating it from the external environment.
- Cell Adhesion: The process by which cells interact and attach to neighbouring cells through specialized molecules of the cell surface.
- Synapse: The junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter.
- Phagocytosis: The process by which a cell engulfs a solid particle to form an internal compartment known as a phagosome.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Filopodium
- Wikipedia's article - Filopodium
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