: any of the insulin-secreting pancreatic cells in the islets of Langerhans
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebLoss of beta cell function means not enough insulin gets produced, resulting in the high blood glucose levels characteristic of Type 2 diabetes. Jennifer Rooke, The Conversation, 14 Jan. 2022 Type 1 diabetes develops when the body's immune system destroys pancreatic beta cells, the only cells in the body that make insulin. Alaa Elassar, CNN, 8 Feb. 2020 Based on the work of Harvard University stem cell scientist Douglas Melton, Semma’s approach involves turning moldable stem cells into beta cells, the insulin-producing machinery that is mistakenly attacked by the immune system in type 1 diabetes.BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2019 Based on the work of Harvard University stem cell scientist Douglas Melton, Semma’s approach involves turning moldable stem cells into beta cells, the insulin-producing machinery that is mistakenly attacked by the immune system in type 1 diabetes.BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2019 Based on the work of Harvard University stem cell scientist Douglas Melton, Semma’s approach involves turning moldable stem cells into beta cells, the insulin-producing machinery that is mistakenly attacked by the immune system in type 1 diabetes.BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2019 Based on the work of Harvard University stem cell scientist Douglas Melton, Semma’s approach involves turning moldable stem cells into beta cells, the insulin-producing machinery that is mistakenly attacked by the immune system in type 1 diabetes.BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2019 Based on the work of Harvard University stem cell scientist Douglas Melton, Semma’s approach involves turning moldable stem cells into beta cells, the insulin-producing machinery that is mistakenly attacked by the immune system in type 1 diabetes.BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2019 Based on the work of Harvard University stem cell scientist Douglas Melton, Semma’s approach involves turning moldable stem cells into beta cells, the insulin-producing machinery that is mistakenly attacked by the immune system in type 1 diabetes.BostonGlobe.com, 8 Sep. 2019 See More
Word History
First Known Use
1915, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
beta cell
noun
: any of various secretory cells distinguished by their basophilic staining characters: as
a
: a pituitary basophil
b
: an insulin-secreting cell of the islets of Langerhans compare alpha cell