Kalvottomia

Kalvottomia is a Finnish term that translates to "without membrane" or "membraneless." In various contexts, it describes a lack of a distinct, enclosing membrane.

In biology, the term can refer to organelles that lack a surrounding membrane, such as ribosomes or the cytoskeleton. Unlike membrane-bound organelles like the nucleus or mitochondria, these structures are not enclosed within lipid bilayers. This characteristic affects their function and interaction within the cell. For example, ribosomes, responsible for protein synthesis, are free in the cytoplasm or attached to the endoplasmic reticulum, operating without a surrounding membrane.

The concept of "kalvottomia" can also extend to other fields. For instance, in geology or engineering, it might describe formations or structures where a natural or artificial barrier is absent. The specific meaning is always determined by the surrounding context.