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neuroblast

neuroblast

9.9
A young cell that grows into a nerve cell
  • noun
  • /ˈnʊroʊˌblæst/
  • Specialized
translation icon : neuroblasto
  • I was on the Metro-North with my ex, Tanisa, and as the train thundered past East Harlem, my triggers were in such a state of neuroblast that I almost left Tanisa and ruined a romantic weekend.

Examples

  • So the cells grow from their little neuroblast stage to where they look like mature neurons.

  • During early development, neuroblasts differentiate into various types of nerve cells.

  • Now on Neuroblast

    Blog text (16)
  • Neuroblasts are crucial for the formation of the nervous system in embryos.

  • Scientists study neuroblasts to understand how nerve cells develop and function.

How Mature

neuron
  • Specialized
98 4.3
neuroblast
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

neuroblast singular
neuroblasts plural

Morphology

neuroblast = blast (semi-transparent) = neuro + blast

The word is built transparently from neuro- plus blast, but the specialized biological sense is technical rather than everyday.

Etymology

Neuroblast comes from neuro- meaning 'nerve', as in neuron, and -blast meaning 'young cell' or 'sprout'. So a neuroblast is a young cell that will grow into a nerve cell.