Scientists have long observed that cells can spontaneously alter their shape without any external signals. This process, known as cell morphogenesis, is fundamental to how organisms develop and function. A team of researchers from Japan has now identified a key mechanism behind this phenomenon. They discovered self-propelled treadmilling actin filaments, or SpTAs, which are mobile protein assemblies that function as self-propelled particles within cells.
The research reveals that although SpTAs move randomly, they collectively push the cell membrane outward. This mechanical action causes protrusions to form, ultimately determining the cell's overall shape. The findings provide new insight into cellular self-organization and were published in the journal EMBO Reports.
Sources: phys.org
The words in bold are from the article.
| 1. spontaneously | a. observable occurrence |
| 2. identified | b. as a group |
| 3. mechanism | c. structural form and arrangement |
| 4. collectively | d. without external cause |
| 5. determine | e. process or system |
| 6. phenomenon | f. research results |
| 7. fundamental | g. basic and essential |
| 8. findings | h. establish or fix |
| 9. morphology | i. made publicly available |
| 10. published | j. discovered and recognized |
1.d 2.j 3.e 4.b 5.h 6.a 7.g 8.f 9.c 10.i