microfilament

noun

mi·​cro·​fil·​a·​ment ˌmī-krō-ˈfi-lə-mənt 

: any of the minute actin-containing protein filaments of eukaryotic cytoplasm that function in maintaining structure and in intracellular movement

Examples of microfilament in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dormant NSCs in Drosophila have a protrusion that extends from the cell body; the researchers had recently demonstrated that the protrusion is enriched with actin microfilaments. —New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

microfilament

noun

mi·​cro·​fil·​a·​ment ˌmī-krō-ˈfil-ə-mənt 

: any of the minute actin-containing protein filaments that are widely distributed in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells, help maintain their structural framework, and play a role in the movement of cell components

microfilamentous

-ˌfil-ə-ˈment-əs 

adjective