Microvillus
Microvillus
Microvillus (pronunciation: /ˌmaɪkrəˈvɪləs/) is a microscopic cellular membrane protrusion that increases the surface area of cells and minimizes any increase in volume.
Etymology
The term "Microvillus" is derived from the Latin words 'micro' meaning small, and 'villus' meaning shaggy hair.
Definition
A Microvillus is a minute, cylindrical, and non-motile extension of the plasma membrane found on the apical surface of most epithelial cells. They are specialized for absorption in cells of the small intestine and kidneys.
Function
The primary function of a Microvillus is to increase the surface area of the cell for efficient absorption and secretion. They also have a role in mechanotransduction in hair cells, which are sensory cells in the inner ear.
Structure
Each Microvillus has a core of actin filaments, which is a part of the cytoskeleton. The actin filaments are connected to the plasma membrane by myosin and spectrin.
Related Terms
- Microvilli: The plural form of microvillus. They are found on the surface of many types of epithelial cells.
- Brush Border: A term used to describe the microvilli-covered surface of simple cuboidal epithelium and simple columnar epithelium cells.
- Stereocilia: These are similar to microvilli but are longer and have different functions.
- Cilia: These are similar to microvilli but are motile and have a different internal structure.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Microvillus
- Wikipedia's article - Microvillus
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