Meaning & use
neurofibrils
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“neurofibrils” is a form of “neurofibril”.
Meaning
nounusually pluraltechnicalbiology
Tiny thread-like structures inside nerve cells that help support the cell and move materials along it.
Grammar: Use the plural when talking about many of these structures together; use the singular 'neurofibril' for one thread.
Patterns
- neurofibrils in something
- a network of neurofibrils
Under the microscope, the scientist could see neurofibrils running through the nerve cell.
Damage to the neurofibrils may interfere with how signals travel along the neuron.
The biology textbook showed a diagram of neurofibrils inside a nerve fiber.
Word forms
| singular | neurofibril |
|---|
Common combinations
- neurofibrils in nerve cells
- Researchers study neurofibrils in nerve cells to understand certain brain diseases.
- network of neurofibrils
- The cell has a dense network of neurofibrils that provides internal support.
- damaged neurofibrils
- Damaged neurofibrils are often seen in tissue from patients with neurodegenerative conditions.
- stain for neurofibrils
- The lab used a special dye to stain for neurofibrils in the sample.
Synonyms and how they differ
- neurofilaments
- Neurofilaments are a specific type of protein filament that makes up neurofibrils; neurofibrils is a broader, older term.
- nerve fibers
- Nerve fibers are the long extensions of nerve cells, while neurofibrils are tiny structures inside the cell body.
Word family
- neurofibrillary adjective
- Relating to neurofibrils, as in 'neurofibrillary tangles'.
- fibril noun
- A small fiber or thread-like structure; neurofibril is a fibril in a nerve cell.
Commonly confused: neurofibrils or neuroglia?
neurofibrils vs neuroglia
Neuroglia are supporting cells in the nervous system, not thread-like structures inside neurons.
Practice
Neurofibrils are best described as:
Choose one answer.
Neurofibrils are tiny thread-like structures inside nerve cells, helping with support and transport. Option 0 describes neuroglia, option 2 describes neurotransmitters, and option 3 describes the myelin sheath.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “neurofibrils”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.