solukokonaisuutta

Solukokonaisuus is a Finnish biology term referring to a functional unit formed by interacting components that together perform a specific task. The concept is used at several levels of biological organization and can describe subcellular, cellular, or multicellular assemblies. The core idea is that biological function arises from coordinated interactions rather than from isolated parts.

In subcellular contexts, solukokonaisuus describes assemblies inside the cell, such as protein complexes, networks of organelles, and cytoskeletal systems that coordinate processes like transport, signaling, or metabolism. These units are characterized by spatial organization and regulated exchange of matter and information.

At the cellular level, the term can denote a functional module within a single cell, for example pathways involved in secretion or endocytosis, where multiple components operate as an integrated unit.

In tissue- or organismal contexts, solukokonaisuus may refer to groups of cells that cooperate to fulfill a physiological task, forming a functional tissue unit or contributing to an organ system.

In Finnish scholarly writing the term is commonly used, though its exact meaning varies by discipline and author. It is related to broader concepts such as macromolecular complexes and functional units, but its usage emphasizes the emergent properties that arise from interactions among parts rather than from any single component.

See also: solu, soluelin, proteiinikompleksi, solujärjestelmä, solun toiminto.