Lability
Encyclopedia
Lability refers to something that is constantly undergoing change or something that is likely to undergo change.
spheroid). The term is sometimes also used in reference to reactivity - for example, a complex that quickly reaches equilibrium in solution is said to be labile (with respect to that solution).
s. This can allow for the rapid synthesis and degradation of substrates in biological systems.
. These are contrasted with "stable cells" and "permanent cells".
An important example of this is in the epithelium
of the cornea
, where cells divide at the basal level and move upwards, and the top-most cells die and fall off.
The opposite of labile in this context is "stable."
Chemistry
The term is used to describe a relatively unstable and transient chemical species. As a general example, if a molecule exists in a particular conformation for a short life-time, before adopting a lower energy conformation, the former molecular structure is said to have 'high lability' (such as C25, a 25-carbon fullereneFullerene
A fullerene is any molecule composed entirely of carbon, in the form of a hollow sphere, ellipsoid, or tube. Spherical fullerenes are also called buckyballs, and they resemble the balls used in association football. Cylindrical ones are called carbon nanotubes or buckytubes...
spheroid). The term is sometimes also used in reference to reactivity - for example, a complex that quickly reaches equilibrium in solution is said to be labile (with respect to that solution).
Biochemistry
In reference to biochemistry, this is an important concept as far as kinetics is concerned in metalloproteinMetalloprotein
Metalloprotein is a generic term for a protein that contains a metal ion cofactor. Metalloproteins have many different functions in cells, such as enzymes, transport and storage proteins, and signal transduction proteins. Indeed, about one quarter to one third of all proteins require metals to...
s. This can allow for the rapid synthesis and degradation of substrates in biological systems.
Cells
Labile cells refer to cells that constantly divide by entering and remaining in the cell cycleCell cycle
The cell cycle, or cell-division cycle, is the series of events that takes place in a cell leading to its division and duplication . In cells without a nucleus , the cell cycle occurs via a process termed binary fission...
. These are contrasted with "stable cells" and "permanent cells".
An important example of this is in the epithelium
Epithelium
Epithelium is one of the four basic types of animal tissue, along with connective tissue, muscle tissue and nervous tissue. Epithelial tissues line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body, and also form many glands. Functions of epithelial cells include secretion, selective...
of the cornea
Cornea
The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior chamber. Together with the lens, the cornea refracts light, with the cornea accounting for approximately two-thirds of the eye's total optical power. In humans, the refractive power of the cornea is...
, where cells divide at the basal level and move upwards, and the top-most cells die and fall off.
Proteins
In medicine, the term "labile" means susceptible to alteration or destruction. For example, a heat-labile protein is one that can be changed or destroyed at high temperatures.The opposite of labile in this context is "stable."