Pinocytic
Pinocytic refers to a cellular process known as pinocytosis. It is a form of endocytosis, which is the mechanism by which cells absorb molecules from outside the cell by engulfing them with their cell membrane. Pinocytosis is often described as "cell drinking" because it involves the uptake of fluids and small solutes. During pinocytosis, the cell membrane invaginizes, forming a small vesicle that detaches from the membrane and moves into the cytoplasm. This vesicle contains the extracellular fluid and any dissolved substances within it.
Pinocytosis is a non-specific process, meaning it does not rely on specific receptors to bind to the