parent cell

/ pâr′ənt /

1. A cell that is the source of other cells, as a cell that divides to produce two or more daughter cells, or a stem cell that is a progenitor of other cells or is the first in a line of developing cells.
2. Also called mother cell

Example Sentences

A single cell divides by splitting into two others, each of which resembles the parent cell, except that they are of less bulk.

From Project Gutenberg

The original cell may thus form in succession many hundreds of cells in every respect like the original parent cell.

From Project Gutenberg

Nor can the parent cell be called mother or father: and for that matter, the parent cell cannot be determined.

From Project Gutenberg

That a parent cell was requisite for the production of new cells seemed to many investigators to be no longer needed.

From Project Gutenberg

For at last they become an Acinetan or a Gregarine, exactly like the parent-cell from which they arose as embryos.

From Project Gutenberg