How Do You Spell CYTOTOXICITY?

1. Cytotoxicity refers to the ability of a substance or agent to cause damage or destruction to cells. It is a measure of the toxic effect a substance has on cells, especially living cells. This phenomenon can occur due to the disruption of normal cell processes, induction of cell death, or the suppression of cell growth and proliferation. Cytotoxicity can be observed in various contexts, including in the field of pharmacology, toxicology, and immunology.

   In pharmacology, cytotoxicity is a term frequently used to describe the harmful effects of certain drugs or chemicals on cells. These substances may interfere with essential cellular functions, such as DNA replication or protein synthesis, leading to cell death or impaired function. In toxicology, cytotoxicity assays are used to evaluate and predict the potential toxicity of various substances on living organisms.

   In immunology, cytotoxicity is the ability of certain immune cells, such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and natural killer (NK) cells, to specifically recognize and destroy target cells, usually infected or cancerous cells. These immune cells release toxic substances, such as perforin and granzymes, which induce cell death pathways in the target cells, effectively eliminating them.

   Overall, cytotoxicity refers to the damaging or destructive effects of a substance or agent on living cells, whether it occurs as a result of drug exposure, toxic exposure, or immune-mediated cell death.

Common Misspellings for CYTOTOXICITY

The word "cytotoxicity" is derived from two components: "cyto-" and "-toxicity".

The prefix "cyto-" refers to "cell" and is derived from the Greek word "kutos", meaning "a hollow vessel". This prefix is commonly used in various scientific terms related to cells, such as cytoplasm, cytokine, and cytoskeleton.

The suffix "-toxicity" originates from the Greek word "toxikon", meaning "poison". It is derived from the Greek word "toxon", referring to "a bow" or "a bow-shaped weapon". This suffix is frequently used to describe the degree or effect of being poisonous or toxic.

Thus, when combined, "cyto-" and "-toxicity" create the term "cytotoxicity", which refers to the property of being toxic or destructive to cells.

Similar spelling words for CYTOTOXICITY

Plural form of CYTOTOXICITY is CYTOTOXICITIES