Intercellular: meaning, definitions and examples
🧬
intercellular
[ ˌɪntərˈsɛl.jə.lər ]
biological context
Intercellular refers to the space or interactions between cells in a biological organism. It is often used to describe processes, substances, or structures that exist or occur between cells rather than within them.
Synonyms
between cells, cell-to-cell, extracellular
Examples of usage
- The intercellular matrix provides support to the tissue.
- Intercellular communication is essential for coordinated functions in multi-cellular organisms.
- Injuries can disrupt intercellular connections, leading to tissue damage.
Etymology
The term 'intercellular' originates from the combination of the prefix 'inter-', meaning 'between' or 'among', and 'cellular', which derives from 'cell'. The word 'cell' has its roots in the Latin 'cella', meaning 'small room', which relates to the idea of cellular structure as small compartments within living organisms. 'Intercellular' has been used in scientific literature since the late 19th century, as advances in microscopy and cell biology required more precise language to describe the complex relationships and interactions among cells in tissues. By emphasizing the space and processes that occur between cells, the term has remained significant in fields such as biology, medicine, and biochemistry.