endocytosis

American  

[en-doh-sahy-toh-sis] / ˌɛn doʊ saɪˈtoʊ sɪs /

noun

Physiology.

1. the transport of solid matter or liquid into a cell by means of a coated vacuole or vesicle (distinguished from exocytosis).

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endocytosis British  

/ ˌɛndəʊsaɪˈtəʊsɪs /

noun

1. the process by which a living cell takes up molecules bound to its surface

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Other Word Forms

• endocytic
  adjective
• endocytotic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of endocytosis

1960–65; endo- + -cyte + -osis, perhaps on the model of phagocytosis

Compare meaning

How does endocytosis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• endocytosis vs. exocytosis

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

endocytosis

"When endocytosis -- this nutrient uptake and regulation -- goes wrong, then there's protein aggregation that will build up in the brain, which is the hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's."

From Science Daily ● Jul. 15, 2026

In both species, the researchers identified the presence of Dynamin1xA, a protein required for ultrafast synaptic membrane recycling, at the locations where endocytosis is believed to take place.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 1, 2025

The team observed some puzzling results: the cell didn't simply take-up FERONIA-LLG1 into the cell, a process known as endocytosis and a typical response; every cell membrane molecule the team tested was affected.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 6, 2024

If passage across the membrane of the target of receptor-mediated endocytosis is ineffective, it will not be removed from the tissue fluids or blood.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013

Plant and animal viruses can enter their cells through endocytosis, in which the cell membrane surrounds and engulfs the entire virus.

From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013