Endocytosis

Luca Fischer

edited by

Joshua Klemt,

1. Definition

Endocytosis is the uptake of substances from the extracellular space into the cell. The substances to be transported from the extracellular space are enclosed in vesicles at the cell membrane and transported into the cell interior.

The opposite of endocytosis is exocytosis.

2. Classification

2.1 Phagocytosis refers to the uptake of larger particulate substances, like whole cells or bacteria.

2.2 Pinocytosis refers to the non-specific or receptor-mediated uptake of dissolved substances.

3. Receptor-mediated endocytosis

Receptor-mediated endocytosis is a form of endocytosis in which extracellular material is specifically taken up by binding to receptors in the plasma membrane. This process forms „coated pits“ and then vesicles containing the absorbed substances.

Only the receptor-specific substances can enter the cell through this process.

Typically: Clathrin-mediated endocytosis

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Specialty

Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Chemistry

Keywords

Last edit:

2024-12-26 19:21:18

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