an outer cell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an outer cell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to biology, technology, or any field discussing structures that have an outer layer or boundary. Example: "The researchers focused on the properties of an outer cell that protects the inner components from external factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But there is a drawback: the newly discovered antibiotic only kills gram-positive bacteria, a type of bacteria that lacks an outer cell membrane.

The Guardian

The domain of the flow field can be divided into an inner cell, an outer cell, and transition zones.

Journal of Hydrology

In the case of an Al 3.5 at.%W alloy, the flow results in an inner alumina layer lining the pore walls that is relatively free of tungsten species and an outer cell layer of comparatively high tungsten content.

Electrochimica Acta

Indeed, the A. thaliana stem cells divide much less frequently than the surrounding cells [4, 19], and most endodermis cortical initial divisions are observed a few days after germination, whereas the cortical layer, an outer cell layer, is established 1 week later [2, 73].

Rice

Mycobacteria are aerobic organisms classified as acid-fast Gram-positive bacteria due to their lack of an outer cell membrane.

BMC Systems Biology

A. actinomycetemcomitans is a gram-negative bacterium, which means that it has an inner and an outer cell membrane, making the bacterium hard to lyse.

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The mycobacteria possess a complex outer cell wall comprising an asymmetric lipid bilayer.

Plosone

Among all Gram bacteria, P. aeruginosa has an overall outer cell membrane permeability that is 12 100× lower than E. coli.

Biomacromolecules

The bacteria targeted by these drugs are surrounded by two barriers to the outside world: an oily inner membrane and a stiffer outer cell wall.

Harvard University

From 28 weeks of intrauterine life the normal human breast is composed of two cell layers, an inner luminal cell population and a distinct outer cell layer, juxtaposed to the basement membrane, termed the 'basal' layer [ 3].

Breast Cancer Research

Gram-positive bacteria lack an LPS or outer cell membrane, but they do have a thick cell wall made up of teichuronic or teichoic acid polymers.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing biological structures, use "an outer cell" to specifically denote a cell forming the exterior layer or boundary of a tissue or organism.

Common error

Avoid using "an outer cell" interchangeably with terms like "cell wall" or "cell membrane". The outer cell refers to the entire cell, while the cell wall or membrane are specific components of that cell.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an outer cell" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct. In the examples, it describes a cell that forms the external layer of a structure, whether in bacteria or plant tissue.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

90%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an outer cell" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe cells forming the external layer of biological structures. As verified by Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in scientific and academic contexts, with sources like Nature and BMC Plant Biology frequently utilizing it. While the phrase isn't exceedingly common, it serves a specific purpose in describing the location and function of cells within tissues and organisms. When writing, remember that an outer cell refers to the entire cell, not just a part of it like the cell membrane or cell wall.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an external cell

Replaces "outer" with "external", maintaining the same meaning related to the exterior.

a peripheral cell

Substitutes "outer" with "peripheral", indicating a cell located at the edge or boundary.

the outermost cell

Adds "most" to emphasize the cell's position as the farthest outward.

a surface cell

Focuses on the cell being on the surface rather than just the outer layer.

an exterior cell

Uses "exterior" in place of "outer", indicating the external part of a structure.

a bordering cell

Highlights the cell's position as bordering or adjacent to a boundary.

a cortical cell

Implies a cell located in the cortex or outer layer of an organ or structure, common in biological contexts.

the superficial cell

Indicates the cell is located near or on the surface, similar to "surface cell".

a limiting cell

Suggests the cell forms a boundary or limit.

an enveloping cell

Emphasizes the cell's role in surrounding or enveloping another structure or cell.

FAQs

How can I use "an outer cell" in a sentence?

You can use "an outer cell" to describe the outermost layer of a biological structure. For example, "The experiment examined the effects of the drug on "an outer cell" of the epidermis".

What is the difference between "an outer cell" and a "cell membrane"?

"An outer cell" refers to the entire cell that forms the exterior layer, while "cell membrane" refers to the membrane that surrounds the cell. The "cell membrane" is a component of "an outer cell".

What can I say instead of "an outer cell"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "an external cell" or "a surface cell". These phrases emphasize the exterior position of the cell.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "an outer cell"?

The phrase "an outer cell" is most appropriate in scientific and biological contexts when describing the structure or properties of cells forming the outermost layer of a tissue, organ, or organism. It can also be used to describe the boundary between cells and tissues.