stroma

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountablebiologymedical

   The supporting framework of connective tissue in an organ, as distinct from the cells that perform the organ's special work.

   Grammar: Plural is stromata (or stromas): the stroma of the ovary; the stromata of different organs.

   Patterns

   • the stroma of an organ

   Pathologists examined the stroma of the tumor under the microscope.

   The stroma gives the lymph node its shape and support.

   Damage to the corneal stroma can blur vision.

2. 2noununcountablebiology

   The dense fluid inside a chloroplast, surrounding the stacks of membranes, where sugars are built during photosynthesis.

   Grammar: Used with the: the stroma of the chloroplast.

   Patterns

   • in the stroma

   The Calvin cycle takes place in the stroma of the chloroplast.

   Enzymes in the stroma help turn carbon dioxide into sugar.

Word forms

Common combinations

connective tissue stroma

The connective tissue stroma supports the glands.

corneal stroma

The corneal stroma makes up most of the thickness of the eye's surface.

tumor stroma

Researchers study how tumor stroma helps cancers grow.

chloroplast stroma

The chloroplast stroma contains enzymes for sugar production.

Synonyms and how they differ

framework

Framework is a general word for a supporting structure, while stroma is specifically a tissue in biology.

matrix

Matrix can mean the material surrounding cells and is broader and less tied to a specific organ.

Opposites

Word family

stromal adjective

relating to the stroma

stromata noun

the plural form of stroma

stromatolite noun

a layered rock formed by ancient microbes, from the same Greek root meaning layer or bed

Commonly confused: stroma or stoma?

Practice

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