Vesicles

Definition

Vesicles are small membrane-bound sacs that function in moving materials within a cell as well as interactions between cells.

Related terms

Endocytosis:

A cellular process in which substances are brought into a cell by surrounding it with a portion of its membrane forming a vesicle.

Exocytosis:

The process by which contents of a cell vacuole are released to the exterior through fusion of the vacuole membrane with the cell membrane using vesicles.

Phagocytosis:

A type of endocytosis wherein large particles are engulfed by cells forming phagosomes, a type of vesicle.