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Glite Dictionary
pinocytosis

pinocytosis

9.9
A way a cell takes in tiny drops of liquid from around it
  • noun
  • /ˌpaɪnoʊsɪˈtoʊsɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pinocitosis
  • The cell uses pinocytosis to absorb nutrients.

Examples

  • Researchers observed increased pinocytosis in the immune cells under the microscope.

  • The process of pinocytosis enables a cell to absorb nutrients dissolved in fluid.

  • Unlike phagocytosis, pinocytosis involves the uptake of liquids rather than large particles.

  • During pinocytosis, cells take in liquid from their environment.

  • The process of pinocytosis allows cells to intake nutrients by engulfing tiny droplets of fluid from their environment.

  • During pinocytosis, the cell membrane forms a pocket that takes in small amounts of liquid from the surrounding area.

  • The mechanism of pinocytosis is vital for cells to absorb essential fluids and nutrients they need to function.

Surface Forms

pinocytosis singular
pinocytoses plural

Morphology

pinocytosis = pinocyte (opaque) = pino + cyt + osis

The parts are Greek combining forms used in scientific terminology and are not obvious to an average B1 learner, so the process meaning is not transparently inferable.

Etymology

Pinocytosis comes from the parts pino- 'to drink', cyto- 'cell', and -osis 'process'. So, Pinocytosis is a cell 'drinking' process where cells take in tiny drops of fluid from around them.