Vesicles: meaning, definitions and examples

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vesicles

 

[ ˈvɛsɪkəlz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

biology

A small structure within a cell, consisting of fluid enclosed by a lipid bilayer membrane. Vesicles play a crucial role in various cellular processes, such as transport of molecules within the cell.

Synonyms

bladder, pouch, sac

Examples of usage

  • The vesicles containing neurotransmitters are essential for signal transmission between neurons.
  • Exocytosis is the process through which cells release vesicles filled with proteins into the extracellular space.
Context #2 | Noun

medicine

A small fluid-filled sac in the body, especially one containing synovial fluid or cerebrospinal fluid. Vesicles can form due to various medical conditions or infections.

Synonyms

blister, pustule, sac

Examples of usage

  • The vesicles on the patient's skin were a result of the viral infection.
  • Herpes simplex virus can cause the formation of painful vesicles on the lips.
Context #3 | Noun

geology

Small cavity in a rock formed by the expansion of gas or steam. Vesicles are commonly found in volcanic rocks.

Synonyms

bubble cavity, cell, gas pore

Examples of usage

  • The volcanic rock displayed numerous vesicles where gas bubbles had been trapped.
  • The presence of vesicles can provide valuable information about the volcanic history of a rock.

Translations

Translations of the word "vesicles" in other languages:

🇵🇹 vesículas

🇮🇳 वेसिकल्स

🇩🇪 Vesikel

🇮🇩 vesikel

🇺🇦 везикули

🇵🇱 pęcherzyki

🇯🇵 小胞

🇫🇷 vésicules

🇪🇸 vesículas

🇹🇷 veziküller

🇰🇷 소포

🇸🇦 حويصلات

🇨🇿 vezikuly

🇸🇰 vezikuly

🇨🇳 囊泡

🇸🇮 vezikli

🇮🇸 bólur

🇰🇿 везикулалар

🇬🇪 ვეზიკულები

🇦🇿 veziküllər

🇲🇽 vesículas

Word origin

The word 'vesicles' originated from the Latin word 'vesicula,' which means a small bladder or pouch. In biology, the term was first used to describe the small membrane-bound structures within cells in the 19th century. Over time, the importance of vesicles in various cellular processes has been extensively studied, leading to significant discoveries in cell biology and medicine.

See also: vesicle.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,925, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.