Granulen

Granulen is the plural form of granule in several Germanic languages, such as German and Dutch; in English, granule is the singular and granules the plural. The term denotes a small particle or discrete, compact unit within a larger material. In science, granulen describe small units that arise by aggregation, secretion, or natural fragmentation and are characterized by a defined size range and composition.

In biology, granules are subcellular structures. Secretory granules in endocrine and exocrine cells store proteins that are released by exocytosis. Pigment granules, such as melanosomes, carry pigments like melanin and contribute to coloration. Granules can also be storage vesicles containing enzymes or ions, and may vary in membrane-bound status.

In geology and materials science, granules refer to discrete grains in rocks or soils, or to manufactured granules used in fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, or food. Granulation is a process that forms granules by agglomerating powders to improve flowability, packing density, and handling. Grain size and mineral composition determine the properties of granules in a material.

In astronomy, solar granules are convection cells on the Sun’s photosphere, arising from boiling plasma. They typically measure about 1,000 to 2,000 kilometers across and last several minutes before dissolving, with new granules forming as old ones decay.

The term granulen thus covers a range of meanings tied to small, grain-like units. Its precise sense relies on context, spanning biology, geology, materials science, and astronomy.