vesikuler

Vesikuler is an adjective used in biology and medicine to describe things related to vesicles, which are small, membrane-bound compartments within or outside cells. The term derives from the word vesicle (small bladder) and is used in several languages with similar meanings, often as an equivalent of “vesicular” in English.

In cell biology, vesicles are central to the transport and processing of molecules. They participate in endocytosis, exocytosis, and intracellular trafficking, carrying proteins, lipids, and other cargo between organelles and the plasma membrane. Vesicle formation involves coat proteins such as clathrin, COPI, and COPII, which shape membranes and guide cargo selection, while SNARE proteins mediate vesicle docking and fusion with target membranes.

In neurobiology, vesikuler concepts are prominent in the study of synaptic vesicles, which store neurotransmitters at presynaptic terminals and release them in response to stimuli. The vesicle cycle, including recycling through endosomes, is crucial for rapid and repeated signaling.

In plant cells, vesicles contribute to secretion and cell wall construction, delivering enzymes and polysaccharides to the plasma membrane or extracellular space. Vesicle trafficking coordinates growth, defense, and remodeling of cellular structures.

Clinically, vesicles refer to fluid-filled lesions on skin or mucous membranes, as seen in diseases such as herpes zoster, chickenpox, or hand-foot-and-mouth disease. In dermatology and virology, the appearance, size, and content of vesicles aid in diagnosis and understanding pathogenesis.

See also: vesicle, vesicular transport, exocytosis, endocytosis, synaptic vesicle, blister.