exocytosis

[ ek-soh-sahy-toh-sis ]

noun

, Physiology.

1. the transport of material out of a cell by means of a sac or vesicle that first engulfs the material and then is extruded through an opening in the cell membrane ( endocytosis ).

exocytosis

/ ˌɛksəʊsaɪˈtəʊsɪs /

noun

1. a process by which material is exported from a biological cell

Other Words From

• ex·o·cy·tot·ic [ek-soh-sahy-, tot, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of exocytosis¹

1960–65; exo- + -cyte + -osis; endocytosis

Example Sentences

Among the research topics listed on her university webpage are coronaviruses but also “intracellular protein trafficking” and “exocytosis of large cargo.”

From Seattle Times

This could happen by building in a rudimentary form of exocytosis, for example, whereby a membrane-bound sac containing the molecule would be released by fusing with the compartment’s outer membrane.

From Nature

Regulation of exocytosis by the exocyst subunit Sec6 and the SM protein Sec1.

From Nature

Synaptotagmin VII as a plasma membrane Ca2+ sensor in exocytosis.

From Nature

Stevens, C. F. & Wesseling, J. F. Activity-dependent modulation of the rate at which synaptic vesicles become available to undergo exocytosis.

From Nature