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macronucleus

American

[mak-roh-noo-klee-uhs, -nyoo-] / ˌmæk roʊˈnu kli əs, -ˈnyu- /

noun

Biology.

the larger of the two types of nuclei nucleus occurring in ciliate protozoans, having a multiple set of chromosomes and functioning in cell metabolism and protein synthesis.

macronucleus British

/ ˌmækrəʊˈnjuːklɪəs /

noun

the larger of the two nuclei in ciliated protozoans Compare micronucleus

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

macronuclear adjective

Etymology

Origin of macronucleus

From New Latin, dating back to 1890–95; macro-, nucleus

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Each Paramecium has a macronucleus and a micronucleus.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Each cell has a macronucleus and a micronucleus.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The clear spot to the right is the macronucleus, and the blobs are probably storage granules of some sort.

From Scientific American • Oct. 17, 2013

For certain genetic parasites having a useful role in building the macronucleus, see Nowacki, M. et al.

From New York Times • Feb. 10, 2010

The macronucleus is spherical and usually central in position.

From Marine Protozoa from Woods Hole Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission 21:415-468, 1901 by Calkins, Gary N. (Gary Nathan)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023