nematocyst

Meanings

• noun

  A complex organelle found in the tissues of cnidarians (jellyfish, anemones, corals, etc.), which functions as a stinging mechanism for capturing prey and defending against predators.

  - "The nematocysts in the tentacles of the jellyfish fire when it comes into contact with prey or a threatening touch."
  - "The nematocysts of some anemones can paralyze their prey for several hours, allowing the anemone to feed at its leisure."

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Synonyms

cnida , cnidocyst , cnidocyte

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Variants

List of all variants of nematocyst that leads to same result
nematocyst , nematocysts

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Etymology

origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

From Greek nemato- (thread) and -kystis (bladder or sac).

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Trivia

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1. Nematocysts are not true cells, but rather specialized structures composed of several different cell types.

2. Some nematocysts can fire multiple times, allowing the cnidarian to continue stinging its prey or defender.

3. The venom of nematocysts can be potent and dangerous to humans, causing painful stings and in some cases, even death.

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Related Concepts

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1. cnidarian: A phylum of aquatic animals, including jellyfish, anemones, and corals, which possess nematocysts as a defensive and predatory mechanism.

2. exocytosis: A cellular process in which a membrane-bound vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane and releases its contents outside the cell.

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Culture

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Nematocysts have been studied extensively in the field of biology due to their complex structure and function. They have been the subject of numerous research papers and have been used as models for understanding the mechanisms of exocytosis and neurotransmission.

How to Memorize "nematocyst"

1. visualize
   

   - Imagine a thread-like sac in the tissue of a cnidarian, waiting to be triggered and release its stinging mechanism.

2. associate
   

   - Associate the word 'nematocyst' with the image of a jellyfish stinging its prey or defending itself.

3. mnemonics
   

   - Remember the acronym 'ThreadBladder' to help remember the meaning of 'nematocyst'.

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