Word
extracellular
Phoneticsex·tra·cel·lu·lar
US/ˌɛkstɹəˈsɛɫjəɫɝ/
UK/ˌɛkstɹəsˈɛljʊlɐ/
Definition
adj. located or happening outside of a cell. It describes things in the space between cells in a living body.
adj. situated or occurring outside a cell or the cells of an organism. Often describes fluids, matrices, or signals that exist in the space surrounding cellular structures.
Examples
“The body uses extracellular fluid to transport nutrients.”
“Researchers are studying how extracellular proteins help cells communicate with each other in healthy tissue.”
“The extracellular matrix provides essential structural support to surrounding cells, while also regulating various cellular functions through complex biochemical signaling pathways.”
Examples
simple
“The body uses extracellular fluid to transport nutrients.”
contextual
“Researchers are studying how extracellular proteins help cells communicate with each other in healthy tissue.”
complex
“The extracellular matrix provides essential structural support to surrounding cells, while also regulating various cellular functions through complex biochemical signaling pathways.”
Usage
Typically used in technical or scientific contexts; often precedes the noun it modifies.
Real-World Examples
“Hydrogels are water-rich materials that are widely used to mimic the extracellular matrix , the natural environment that surrounds cells within the body.” “Scientists at The Ohio State University have showed that the engineered extracellular vesicles could evade immune cells and target cancer cells, two capabilities that could improve the delivery of future therapies.” Etymology
From extra- + cellular.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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englishreference.com/q/extracellular