extracellular

[ ek-struh-sel-yuh-ler ]

adjective

, Biology.

1. outside a cell or cells.

extracellular

/ ˌɛkstrəˈsɛljʊlə /

adjective

1. biology situated or occurring outside a cell or cells

extracellular

/ ĕk′strə-sĕl′yə-lər /

1. Located or occurring outside a cell or cells.

Derived Forms

• ˌextraˈcellularly, adverb

Other Words From

• extra·cellu·lar·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of extracellular¹

First recorded in 1865–70; extra- + cellular

Example Sentences

They produce and organize the so-called extracellular matrix, a network of proteins such as collagen, which makes the tissue stable and elastic, but also perform many other tasks.

From Science Daily

Made out of long, intertwining fibers, the porous material better mimics the structure of the extracellular matrix found in human organs, and it has previously been used to create scaffolds for purposes like wound healing.

From Science Daily

The remarkably precise method allows researchers to peer into nanometer-sized membrane sacs, called extracellular vesicles or EVs, that can carry different types of cargos, like proteins, nucleic acids and metabolites, in the bloodstream.

From Science Daily

When our cells communicate, they send out small membrane bubbles known as extracellular vesicles which contain various signalling molecules.

From Science Daily

Actomyosin also connects to a key component called the extracellular matrix, or ECM, which is composed of collagen.

From Science Daily