Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

microsome

Noun
/ˈmaɪkrəˌsoʊm/
Definition
Microsome refers to a small membrane-bound vesicle that is derived from the endoplasmic reticulum during the process of cell fractionation.
Examples
  • The microsomes isolated from the liver are key to studying drug metabolism.
  • Researchers use microsomes to investigate the activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes.
  • During the experiment, the scientists analyzed the microsome samples for biochemical activity.
Meaning
In biological terms, microsomes are particles containing enzymes associated with the endoplasmic reticulum, which play a crucial role in metabolic processes within cells.
Synonyms
  • Vesicle
  • Cell fragment
  • Organelle fragment