endocytosis

[ en-doh-sahy-toh-sis ]

noun

, Physiology.

1. the transport of solid matter or liquid into a cell by means of a coated vacuole or vesicle ( exocytosis ).

endocytosis

/ ˌɛndəʊsaɪˈtəʊsɪs /

noun

1. the process by which a living cell takes up molecules bound to its surface

Other Words From

• en·do·cyt·ic [en-doh-, sit, -ik], en·do·cy·tot·ic [en-doh-sahy-, tot, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of endocytosis¹

1960–65; endo- + -cyte + -osis, perhaps on the model of phagocytosis

Example Sentences

They found that MYCT1 regulates a process called endocytosis, which plays a key role in how blood stem cells take in the signals from their environment that tell them when to self-renew, when to differentiate and when to be quiet.

From Science Daily

The team observed some puzzling results: the cell didn't simply take-up FERONIA-LLG1 into the cell, a process known as endocytosis and a typical response; every cell membrane molecule the team tested was affected.

From Science Daily

When the cell takes in the double-stranded RNA complex, it forms a membrane around the RNA that then buds off — a process called endocytosis.

From Nature

The more common CHC17 form is found in all tissues and handles endocytosis—moving proteins inside the cell from the cell surface—while the CHC22 form is most highly expressed in muscle and fat and is not involved in endocytosis.

From Scientific American

Xiao, K. et al. p120-Catenin regulates clathrin-dependent endocytosis of VE-cadherin.

From Nature