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cytochalasin

cy·to·cha·la·sin [ stō kə láyzin ] (plural cy·to·cha·la·sins)


noun 
Definition:
 
substance that destroys microfilaments of cells: a substance derived from fungi that inhibits the formation of microscopic filaments within living cells, thereby interfering with various cell activities, as in the cleavage of cytoplasm following nuclear division. Cytochalasins are used in cell biology to investigate phenomena such as cytoplasmic movement and cell motility.

[Mid-20th century. <cyto- + Greek khalasis "dislocation"]
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