Pinocytosis

Definition

Pinocytosis is a form of endocytosis where a cell engulfs liquid from the surrounding environment, incorporating the fluid and dissolved solutes into small vesicles within its cytoplasm. It enables cells to sample the extracellular fluid and absorb nutrients.

Related terms

Endocytosis:

The process by which cells internalize molecules (such as proteins) by engulfing them in an energy-using process.

Phagocytosis:

A type of endocytosis where a cell engulfs large particles or even entire cells, often referred to as "cellular eating."

Vesicle: A small structure within a cell, consisting of fluid enclosed by a lipid bilayer, used to transport substances within the cell