micronucleus

[ mahy-kroh-noo-klee-uh s, -nyoo- ]
/ ˌmaɪ kroʊˈnu kli əs, -ˈnyu- /

noun, plural mi·cro·nu·cle·i [mahy-kroh-noo-klee-ahy, -nyoo-] /ˌmaɪ kroʊˈnu kliˌaɪ, -ˈnyu-/. Biology.

the smaller of the two types of nuclei occurring in ciliate protozoans.
Compare macronucleus.

Origin of micronucleus

First recorded in 1890–95; micro- + nucleus

OTHER WORDS FROM micronucleus

mi·cro·nu·cle·ar, adjective

Words nearby micronucleus

micronesia, micronesian, micronize, micronodular, micronucleate, micronucleus, micronutrient, micronychia, microorganism, microorganisms, micropalaeontology

Example sentences from the Web for micronucleus

British Dictionary definitions for micronucleus

micronucleus
/ (ˌmaɪkrəʊˈnjuːklɪəs) /

noun plural -clei (-klɪˌaɪ) or -cleuses

the smaller of two nuclei in ciliated protozoans, involved in reproduction Compare macronucleus

Medical definitions for micronucleus

micronucleus
[ mī′krō-nōō′klē-əs ]

n.

A minute nucleus.
The smaller of two nuclei in ciliate protozoans that contains genetic material and functions in reproduction.