caveolaarinen
Caveolae are small, flask-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane found in various cell types, particularly in endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and some epithelial cells. They are named after the Latin word "caveola," meaning small cave or hollow. Caveolae are approximately 50-100 nanometers in diameter and are characterized by their unique structure, which includes a coat of caveolin proteins that form the rim of the invagination.
Caveolae play a crucial role in cellular processes such as endocytosis, signal transduction, and cell adhesion.
The discovery of caveolae dates back to the 1960s, when they were first observed using electron microscopy.