cytokine
|cy-to-kine|
C1
/ˈsaɪtəˌkaɪn/
cell signaling protein
Etymology
Etymology Information
'cytokine' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'kytos' meaning 'cell' and 'kinein' meaning 'to move'.
Historical Evolution
'kytos' and 'kinein' combined to form the modern English word 'cytokine'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to any substance that affects cell movement, but now it specifically refers to proteins involved in cell signaling.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a type of protein released by cells, especially of the immune system, that affects the behavior of other cells.
Cytokines play a crucial role in the body's immune response.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41