1. to discharge or expel material from a cell by the fusion of vesicles with the cell membrane
Usage: biology; cell biology; technical

Examples

• Neurons exocytose neurotransmitters at the synapse to communicate with other cells.
• The cell exocytoses proteins that have been packaged in the Golgi apparatus.
• During exocytosis, vesicles exocytose their contents into the extracellular space.
• Pancreatic cells exocytose insulin in response to elevated blood glucose levels.
• The secretory pathway allows cells to exocytose hormones and other signaling molecules.