- nematocyte
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(= cnidoblast)Stinging cells found in Hydra, used for capturing prey and for defence. There are four major types, containing different sorts of nematocysts: stenoteles (60%), desmonemes, holotrichous isorhizas, and atrichous isorhizas. They differentiate from interstitial cells and are almost all found in the tentacles.
Dictionary of molecular biology. 2004.