extracellular

adjective

ex·​tra·​cel·​lu·​lar ˌek-strə-ˈsel-yə-lər How to pronounce extracellular (audio)
: situated or occurring outside a cell or the cells of the body
extracellular digestion
extracellular enzymes
extracellularly adverb

Examples of extracellular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The new method developed by Su and her colleagues seeks to assess embryo quality by looking at pieces of genetic material called extracellular RNA (exRNA) left behind in the liquid that embryos are grown in. Deborah Balthazar, STAT, 17 Jan. 2024 Meanwhile, neutrophils ramp up inflammation, release toxins, and as a last resort, produce antibiotic-laden traps called NETs—neutrophil extracellular traps—by cellular suicide; the NETs are made using the neutrophil's own DNA. Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 19 Apr. 2016 These extracellular enzymes - a broad class encompassing amylases, phosphatases, and a range of proteases - can either be attached to the cell surface or freely released into solution. Jeffrey Marlow, Discover Magazine, 9 Oct. 2015 Research in blood vessel cells suggests that the application of extracellular thymosin beta-4 may also regulate processes such as cell motility and angiogenesis. The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 Aug. 2023 There were additional differences: EV's had many more receptors on their surface than original cells, thus boosting the virus-stopping ability of the billions of extracellular vesicles in the nose. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 6 Dec. 2022 But the fundamental premise, that extracellular amyloid plaques are the trigger for all the other pathologies, has stayed the same. Quanta Magazine, 8 Dec. 2022 Ions are suffusing your extracellular fluid, all the stuff that bathes you. IEEE Spectrum, 23 May 2023 In fact, that little bit of coldness in the tip of the nose was enough to take nearly 42% of the extracellular vesicles out of the fight, Bleier said. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 6 Dec. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'extracellular.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of extracellular was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near extracellular

Cite this Entry

“Extracellular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extracellular. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

extracellular

adjective
ex·​tra·​cel·​lu·​lar ˌek-strə-ˈsel-yə-lər How to pronounce extracellular (audio)
: situated or occurring outside a cell or the cells of the body

Medical Definition

extracellular

adjective
ex·​tra·​cel·​lu·​lar ˌek-strə-ˈsel-yə-lər How to pronounce extracellular (audio)
: situated or occurring outside a cell or the cells of the body
extracellular digestion
extracellular enzymes
extracellularly adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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