A thin, thread-like projection from the surface of a cell that helps it move, sense its surroundings, and communicate with other cells.
From Latin filum (thread) and Greek podium (foot), literally 'thread foot.' Created as scientific terminology in early cell biology.
Under electron microscopes, filopodia look like tiny grasping fingers—and that's exactly what they do, reaching out to feel and grab onto their cellular neighbors.
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