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Glite Dictionary
cytochalasin

cytochalasin

1 9.9
A chemical used in labs to stop cells moving or dividing
  • noun
  • /ˌsaɪtəˈkæləsɪn/
  • Specialized
: citochalásico
  • The experiment showed that cytochalasin quickly stopped the movement of white blood cells.

Examples

  • By using cytochalasin, scientists were able to study the role of actin in cell structure.

  • Researchers added cytochalasin to the petri dish to observe its effects on cell division.

  • Researchers often use cytochalasin to study cell movement.

  • The effects of cytochalasin on cell division are significant.

  • Researchers often use cytochalasin to study the effects of cell movement on tissue formation.

  • The scientist added cytochalasin to the culture to inhibit the cell division process in his experiment.

  • In their study, the effects of cytochalasin on actin filament organization were thoroughly analyzed.

Synonyms

cytostatic
vscytochalasin
  • Specialized
1 7.6

A drug that stops or slows the growth and division of cells used to treat cancer

is used in labs to block cell movement and disrupt cell division

Surface Forms

cytochalasin singular
cytochalasins plural

Morphology

cytochalasin = chalasin (semi-transparent) = cyto + chalasin

The form 'cyto-' signals a relation to cells, but 'cyto-' is a technical combining form and 'chalasin' is a specialized biochemical term, so the meaning is only partially recoverable for average learners.

Etymology

The word cytochalasin comes from cyto- ('cell') and -chalasin ('to loosen' or 'relax'), so it sounds like a substance that loosens or stops cell movement. That's why cytochalasin is used by scientists to block cells from moving and dividing.