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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

As this is in all probability derived entirely from the nucleus of the spermatozoon, we should be almost justified in calling the nucleus of the spermatozoon the male pronucleus.

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

The egg nucleus, now known as the female pronucleus, and each body contain the reduced or haploid number of chromosomes.

From Being Well-Born An Introduction to Eugenics by Michael F. Guyer

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

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

In seven of the zygotes that were microinjected with sgRNA2b–Cas9, the pronuclei had already faded after thawing, showing that they had exited S phase and were undergoing syngamy.

From Nature Sep. 19, 2017

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

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

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

V. The V-shaped chromatin filaments are now quite distinct: the male and female pronuclei are in close contact.

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

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