mikrosome

Mikrosome is a term that can refer to a few different things in biology and biochemistry. Most commonly, it is used to describe a small fragment of cellular material, typically from the endoplasmic reticulum, that is obtained after cellular disruption and centrifugation. These fragments, often called microsomes, are essentially vesicles formed from the broken endoplasmic reticulum membranes. They are widely used in research to study various cellular functions, including protein synthesis, lipid metabolism, and drug detoxification, as enzymes and other molecules are retained within these membrane structures.

Another, less common, usage of "mikrosome" might refer to a very small compartment within a cell, akin to an organelle. However, this usage is not as standardized as the biochemical definition. In a broader sense, "mikrosome" can also be a surname. When encountered, the context is crucial for understanding whether it refers to the biochemical preparation, a hypothetical small cellular structure, or an individual. The biochemical definition is the most prevalent in scientific literature.