host cell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "host cell" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a cell that provides a suitable environment for a virus or other organism to grow and reproduce. This term is often used in biological and medical contexts. Example: The influenza virus can only replicate inside a host cell, making it difficult to treat with medication.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Host cell contact triggers effector protein injection within a few seconds after S. Typhimurium has docked to a host cell.

Plosone

These different body parts assemble into miniphages, using the host cell as a kind of factory.

The New York Times - Magazine

The_Donald, in particular, proved a fecund host cell for viral memes.

The New Yorker

Instead a virus uses the machinery of the host cell to make copies of itself.

The New York Times - Science

Viruses can reproduce only within a host cell.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sometimes two viruses simultaneously infect a host cell.

The New York Times - Science

"What the host cell ended up with was effectively multi-bacteria power without the overheads," says Lane.

The Guardian - Tech

Dr. Young studied the way the viruses replicate and burst out of the host cell to invade other cells.

The New York Times

Bacteriophage Qβ utilizes some host cell translation factors during replication.

FEBS Letters

Adhesins are bacterial proteins with host cell adhesive properties.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

The OspA heterodimers were highly purified with low amounts of endotoxin, host cell proteins and host cell DNA.

Vaccine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing viral infections or parasitic relationships, use "host cell" to clearly identify the cell being utilized by the pathogen or organism. Ensure context provides clarity on the specific interaction (e.g., invasion, replication, modulation).

Common error

Avoid using "host cell" interchangeably with general terms like "tissue cell" or "body cell". "Host cell" specifically refers to a cell that is being utilized by another organism, typically a pathogen, for replication or survival. Using it in a general context can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "host cell" primarily functions as a noun phrase, identifying a cell that harbors a foreign organism, such as a virus or bacteria. Ludwig examples showcase this function, illustrating the cell's role in biological processes. The AI confirms this usage as grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

87%

News & Media

8%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "host cell" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, especially within scientific and medical literature, to denote a cell that harbors another organism, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its purpose is to categorize and define this cell type in interactions with pathogens. While "host cell" is most common in scientific contexts, it also appears in news and media. Alternatives include "hosting cell" and "recipient cell", though these carry slightly different connotations. When using "host cell", ensure it's not confused with general cellular terms, and that the context is clear about the interaction taking place. The high expert rating and authoritative sources underscore its reliability and importance in precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hosting cell

Focuses on the cell's action of providing a space for another organism.

Recipient cell

Emphasizes the cell as the receiver of an interaction or process.

Target cell

Highlights the cell as the destination or object of a process.

Infected cell

Specific to scenarios where the cell is undergoing infection.

Harboring cell

Similar to hosting, but can imply a longer-term or protective relationship.

Cell under attack

Emphasizes the cell's vulnerability in an antagonistic interaction.

Colonized cell

Focuses on the cell being inhabited by a population of organisms.

Cell providing support

Highlights the cell's role in sustaining another organism.

Cell undergoing viral replication

Specific to the process of viral reproduction within a cell.

Cell supporting parasitic growth

Describes a cell that enables a parasite to develop.

FAQs

How is "host cell" used in scientific literature?

In scientific literature, "host cell" refers to a cell that is infected or inhabited by a parasite, virus, or other microorganism. It's often used when describing mechanisms of infection, replication, and interactions between pathogens and their hosts. For example, researchers might study how a virus manipulates the "host cell" to promote its own replication.

What are some alternatives to "host cell" in describing viral infections?

Depending on the context, you can use terms like "infected cell", "target cell", or "recipient cell". However, ""host cell"" specifically indicates the cell providing resources for the virus.

What is the difference between a "host cell" and a "target cell"?

"Target cell" generally refers to the cell that is the intended recipient of a process, like a signal or an attack. A ""host cell"" specifically describes a cell that is being used by a pathogen for replication or survival. A target cell can become a host cell if it gets infected.

How does a virus utilize a "host cell"?

A virus enters the "host cell" and hijacks its machinery to replicate. It uses the cell's ribosomes, enzymes, and other components to produce viral proteins and genetic material, eventually leading to the creation of new viruses.