nucleolus

[ noo-klee-uh-luh s, nyoo- ]
/ nuˈkli ə ləs, nyu- /

noun, plural nu·cle·o·li [noo-klee-uh-lahy, nyoo-] /nuˈkli əˌlaɪ, nyu-/. Cell Biology.

a conspicuous, rounded body within the nucleus of a cell.

Origin of nucleolus

1835–45; < Late Latin: small kernel, equivalent to nucle(us) kernel (see nucleus) + -olus -ole1

Example sentences from the Web for nucleoli

British Dictionary definitions for nucleoli

nucleolus
/ (ˌnjuːklɪˈəʊləs) /

noun plural -li (-laɪ)

a small rounded body within a resting nucleus that contains RNA and proteins and is involved in the production of ribosomes Also called: nucleole

Derived forms of nucleolus

nucleolar, nucleolate or nucleolated, adjective

Word Origin for nucleolus

C19: from Latin, diminutive of nucleus

Medical definitions for nucleoli

nucleolus
[ nōō-klēə-ləs ]

n. pl. nu•cle•o•li (-lī′)

A small, typically round granular body composed of protein and RNA in the nucleus of a cell, usually associated with a specific chromosomal site and involved in ribosomal RNA synthesis and the formation of ribosomes.

Other words from nucleolus

nu•cleo•lar (-lər) adj.

Scientific definitions for nucleoli

nucleolus
[ nōō-klēə-ləs ]

Plural nucleoli (nōō-klēə-lī′)

A small, typically spherical granular body located in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell, composed largely of protein and RNA. When the cell is not undergoing division, loops of DNA from one or more chromosomes extend into the nucleolus and direct the synthesis of ribosomal RNA and the formation of ribosomes. The ribosomes are eventually transferred out of the nucleus via pores in the nuclear envelope into the cytoplasm.