trichocyst

trichocyst
One of a number of structures, in the form of minute elongated cysts, arranged radially around the periphery of a protozoan cell and containing fluid which when discharged serves for offense or defense; found in ciliates, such as Paramecium species. SYN: trichite. [tricho- + G. kystis, bladder]

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tricho·cyst 'trik-ə-.sist n any of the minute projectile organs that release adhesive threads when discharged and that occur on the body of protozoans and esp. of many ciliates

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tricho·cyst (trikґo-sist) [tricho- + -cyst] one of the extrusible and explosive, nontoxic, spindle-shaped subpellicular organelles occurring in many protozoa, which can discharge long, striated, fibrous shafts. Its true function is unknown, but it may serve to anchor the organism during feeding, serve an offensive or defensive function, or serve in prey capture. Called also trichite.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Trichocyst — Trich o*cyst, n. [Gr. tri x, tricho s, a hair + ? bag.] (Zo[ o]l.) A lasso cell. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • trichocyst — [trik′ə sist΄] n. [ TRICHO + CYST] any of the many tiny, rodlike, stinging and attachment organelles embedded in the ectoplasm of many ciliated protozoans trichocystic [trik′ōsis′tik] adj …   English World dictionary

  • Trichocyst — A trichocyst is a structure in the cortex of certain ciliate and flagellate protozoans consisting of a cavity and long, thin threads that can be ejected in response to certain stimuli. Trichocysts may be widely distributed over an organism or… …   Wikipedia

  • trichocyst — Small membrane bounded vesicle lying below the pellicle of many ciliates. Fusion of the trichocyst with the plasma membrane occurs at a predictable site which can therefore be examined for membrane specialization …   Dictionary of molecular biology

  • trichocyst — noun Date: 1859 any of the minute lassoing or stinging organelles of protozoans and especially of many ciliates …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • trichocyst — trichocystic, adj. /trik euh sist /, n. Zool. an organ of offense and defense embedded in the outer cytoplasm of certain protozoans, consisting of a small elongated sac containing a fine, hairlike filament capable of being ejected. [1850 55;… …   Universalium

  • trichocyst — noun A threadlike organ in certain protozoans that can be discharged suddenly in order to grasp or sting …   Wiktionary

  • trichocyst — n. organ in the protoplasm of some single celled organisms which can eject a filament for purposes of offense or defense …   English contemporary dictionary

  • trichocyst — n. (Zool.) Lasso cell …   New dictionary of synonyms

  • trichocyst — trich·o·cyst …   English syllables

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