microfilament

[ mahy-kruh-fil-uh-muhnt ]

nounCell Biology.
  1. a minute, narrow tubelike cell structure composed of a protein similar to actin, occurring singly and in bundles, involved in cytoplasmic movement and changes in cell shape.

Origin of microfilament

1
First recorded in 1960–65; micro- + filament

Other words from microfilament

  • mi·cro·fil·a·men·tous [mahy-kroh-fil-uh-men-tuhs], /ˌmaɪ kroʊˌfɪl əˈmɛn təs/, adjective

Words Nearby microfilament

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for microfilament

microfilament

/ (ˌmaɪkrəʊˈfɪləmənt) /


noun
  1. thin filament, composed of the protein actin and associated proteins, that occurs abundantly in muscle and in the cytoplasm of other cells

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