In
cell biology, a
vesicle is a small structure within a cell, consisting of fluid enclosed by a
lipid bilayer. Vesicles form naturally during the processes of secretion (
exocytosis), uptake (
phagocytosis and
endocytosis) and transport of materials within the cytoplasm. Alternatively, they may be prepared artificially, in which case they are called
liposomes. If there is only one
phospholipid bilayer, they are called
unilamellar liposome vesicles; otherwise they are called
multilamellar. The membrane enclosing the vesicle is also a
lamellar phase, similar to that of the
plasma membrane, and vesicles can fuse with the plasma membrane to release their contents outside the cell. Vesicles can also fuse with other
organelles within the cell.