Home > Anatomy > Cells > Cellular Structures Terms and Definitions
Cellular Structures
| Definition: |
Components of a cell. |
| Notes: |
GEN: avoid; prefer specifics |
Cellular Structures Categories.
 |
Cell Membrane - The lipid- and protein-containing, selectively permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In most types of microbial cells it is bordered externally by the CELL WALL. (Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed) |
 |
Cell Surface Extensions - Specialized structures of the cell that extend the cell membrane and project out from the cell surface. |
 |
Chromosomes - In a prokaryotic cell or in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell, a structure consisting of or containing DNA which carries the genetic information essential to the cell. (From Singleton & Sainsbury, Dictionary of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, 2d ed) |
 |
Extracellular Space - Interstitial space between cells, occupied by INTERSTITIAL FLUID as well as amorphous and fibrous substances. For organisms with a CELL WALL, the extracellular space includes everything outside of the CELL MEMBRANE including the PERIPLASM and the cell wall. |
 |
Inclusion Bodies - A generic term for any circumscribed mass of foreign (e.g., lead or viruses) or metabolically inactive materials (e.g., ceroid or Mallory bodies), within the cytoplasm or nucleus of a cell. Inclusion bodies are in cells infected with certain filtrable viruses, observed especially in nerve, epithelial, or endothelial cells. (Stedman, 25th ed) |
 |
Intracellular Space - The area within CELLS. |
 |
Subcellular Fractions - Components of a cell produced by various separation techniques which, though they disrupt the delicate anatomy of a cell, preserve the structure and physiology of its functioning constituents for biochemical and ultrastructural analysis. (From Alberts et al., Molecular Biology of the Cell, 2d ed, p163) |
Cellular Structures Definitions and Terms
MedicalGlossary.org is designed as a free, browsable resource for all. The medical terms and definitions are not intended to replace medical informaion provided by licensed healthcare professionals. Please see a doctor if you need medical assistance. Don't see the medical term you were researching? Send us an e-mail from our "about us" page. We will do our best to research and classify new medical terms in a timely manner. Our current list of medical terms is over 26,000. Data sources include the U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2004 Medical Subject Headings.
|