Definition of choanocyte in English:
choanocyte
nounˈkəʊənə(ʊ)sʌɪtˈkōənəˌsītkōˈanəˌsīt
Zoology A flagellated cell with a collar of protoplasm at the base of the flagellum, numbers of which line the internal chambers of sponges.
Example sentencesExamples
- Particles are caught in the collar part of the choanocyte cells.
- The anterior cells lost their cilia and migrated in to form the inner cell mass; some of these cells rapidly differentiated into choanocytes, while others remained amoeboid.
- Sponge cells called choanocytes each project a minuscule filament.
- Due to the physical structure of the choanocyte chambers and oscular chimneys, water can passively flow through the sponge without the choanocytes actively pumping.
- Water movement is driven by the beating of flagellae, which are located on specialized cells called choanocytes (collar cells).
Origin
Late 19th century: from Greek khoanē 'funnel' + -cyte.