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Showing results for pronucleus. Search instead for prenucleus.

pronucleus

American  
[proh-noo-klee-uhs, -nyoo-] / proʊˈnu kli əs, -ˈnju- /

noun

Cell Biology.
  • pronuclei
    plural
  1. either of the gametic nuclei that unite in fertilization to form the nucleus of the zygote.


pronucleus British  
/ ˌprəʊˈnjuːklɪəs /

noun

  1. the nucleus of a mature ovum or spermatozoan before fertilization

"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

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of pronucleus

From New Latin, dating back to 1875–80; see origin at pro- 1, 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.

See Examples For:

The egg is then exposed to a chemical that causes the remaining pronucleus to replicate, thus giving the cell a full complement of genes.

From Time Magazine Archive

In this way the centrosome approaches the female pronucleus, and thus finally the two nucleii are brought into close proximity.

From The Story of the Living Machine A Review of the Conclusions of Modern Biology in Regard to the Mechanism Which Controls the Phenomena of Living Activity by H. W. (Herbert William) Conn

At the same time its tail begins to disappear, and the enlarged head proceeds to make its way directly towards the nucleus of the ovum which, as before stated, is now called the female pronucleus.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol. 1 and 3, of 3) An Exposition of the Darwinian Theory and a Discussion of Post-Darwinian Questions by George John Romanes

Only the female pronucleus is shown in this figure.

From Darwin, and After Darwin (Vol. 1 and 3, of 3) An Exposition of the Darwinian Theory and a Discussion of Post-Darwinian Questions by George John Romanes

This accounts for the fact, which has been often observed, that the female pronucleus is not surrounded by protoplasmic radiations, whereas such radiations are present round the male pronucleus in its approach to the female.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various

PN, pronuclei; PNF, pronuclear fading. b, Representative human embryo at each developmental stage analysed.

From Nature ● Sep. 19, 2017

The two haploid nuclei derived from the sperm and oocyte and contained within the egg are referred to as pronuclei.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

The pronuclei then migrate toward each other, their nuclear envelopes disintegrate, and the male- and female- derived genetic material intermingles.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

If the oocyte is fertilized, Ramos will see the formation of two pronuclei, then the fusion of the diploid cell, or zygote.

From Slate ● May 23, 2012

In Echinus, for instance, the two pronuclei fuse, and the spindle and chromosomes are formed from the zygote nucleus, whereas in the mouse the two pronuclei retain their distinctness during the formation of the chromosomes.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 3 "Electrostatics" to "Engis" by Various

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