pinocytosis
/ˌpiːnəʊsʌɪˈtəʊsɪs
/ /ˌpɪnəʊsʌɪˈtəʊsɪs/ /ˌpʌɪnəʊsʌɪˈtəʊsɪs/noun [mass noun] Biology
The ingestion of liquid into a cell by the budding of small vesicles from the cell membrane.Cells use pinocytosis to take up TCII hydroxocobalamin....
- However, small areas of low emission could be found in the cytoplasm, showing that the compound was taken up by the cells, probably by pinocytosis.
- It is possible that the chemical can gain entry into cells as small, colloidal particles via phagocytosis or pinocytosis and may also enter dead, dying or damaged cells.
Origin
Late 19th century: from Greek pino 'drink' + -cytosis on the pattern of phagocytosis.