macropinocytosis
Cell drinking big
Macropinocytosis is a cellular process in which a cell engulfs large amounts of extracellular fluid and dissolved substances by forming membrane ruffles that fold back and fuse, creating large vesicles called macropinosomes.
Unlike receptor-mediated uptake, it's relatively nonselective—the cell gulps whatever happens to be nearby.
Cancer cells exploit macropinocytosis to scavenge nutrients from their environment.
Membrane sac for internalized cargo
- lysosomeDigestive organelle in cells
- degradationDecline in condition
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
- acidificationIncrease in hydrogen ions
Disrupting a smooth surface
- actinCellular contractile protein
- cytoskeletonInternal protein support structure
- cholesterolWaxy lipid in blood
- plasma membraneLipid bilayer enclosing cytoplasm
Substance absorbed by solvent
- macromoleculeVery large molecule
- proteinFolded amino chain
- growth factorsProteins stimulating cell proliferation
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
glucose · albumin · dextran · nonselective · cargo
endosome
Membrane sac for internalized cargo
- lysosomeDigestive organelle in cells
- degradationDecline in condition
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
ruffling
Disrupting a smooth surface
- actinCellular contractile protein
- cytoskeletonInternal protein support structure
- cholesterolWaxy lipid in blood
macrophage
Engulfing immune cell
- phagocyteCell that engulfs invaders
solute
Substance absorbed by solvent
- macromoleculeVery large molecule
- proteinFolded amino chain
- growth factorsProteins stimulating cell proliferation
amino acids · glucose · albumin · dextran · nonselective · cargo
Salmonella
Rod-shaped food-poisoning bacterium
- EbolaFatal hemorrhagic fever virus
- Biological Transportdiffusion, osmosis, carrier proteins, endocytosis, exocytosis
- cell transportvesicle, vesicles, endocytosis, exocytosis, trafficking
- Endocytosisendosome, internalization, phagocytosis, invagination, engulfment