intracellular fluid
- noun
- /ˌɪntrəˈsɛl.jə.lər ˈfluː.ɪd/
- Specialized
- Research shows that the intracellular fluid plays a key role in the regulation of metabolism.
Examples
-
The concentration of nutrients in the intracellular fluid is crucial for maintaining cell function.
-
In fact, the intracellular fluid compartment is larger in virtually all cases of health.
-
Abnormal levels of ions in the intracellular fluid can disrupt cellular processes.
Synonyms
The liquid inside a cell where small cell parts float
A living fluid inside cells that holds genes and cell parts
The inner, more liquid part of a cell that holds most of its small parts
Antonyms
- Specialized
Fluid outside body cells, like blood plasma and fluid between cells, that carries salts and proteins
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is directly compositional: 'intracellular' means 'inside cells' and 'fluid' means a flowing liquid, so together they denote the liquid found inside cells. Although somewhat technical, the meaning follows standard morphological composition (and parallels in other languages), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would understand it.
Etymology
Intracellular fluid comes from intra- meaning 'inside', cellular meaning 'cell', and fluid meaning 'liquid'. So it is the 'liquid' that sits 'inside' each 'cell', which is why it means the liquid inside cells that helps them do their job.