resting
Meaning of resting: Resting describes a cell that is temporarily inactive with respect to division, distinguishing it from one actively multiplying.
Definition of resting
Resting, in biology, describes a cell that is not actively dividing, having temporarily paused in a phase of its normal life cycle outside of active cell division. A resting cell remains alive and can carry out its ordinary functions, but it is not progressing through the specific stages involved in producing new cells.
Cells can enter a resting state for varying lengths of time and, depending on the cell type and circumstances, may later reenter active division when appropriate signals are present. This concept is relevant to understanding both normal tissue turnover and how certain treatments that target actively dividing cells may have a different effect on cells that are in a resting state at the time.
The term resting is also used outside of cell biology, such as in describing resting heart rate or resting blood pressure, referring to a baseline measurement taken without recent physical exertion.
Used in a sentence
Most of the sampled cells appeared to be in a resting state under microscopic examination.
Good to know
Some treatments that target actively dividing cells have less effect on resting cells, which is one reason a cell's activity state at a given time can influence how it responds to certain treatments.