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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

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

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

I. The second polar body has just been extruded; both male and female pronuclei contain two chromatin particles; those of the male pronucleus are becoming transformed into a skein.

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 Romanes, George John

Contraction of the skein, and formation of two U-or V-shaped chromatin fibres in each 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 Romanes, George John

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

The chromatin in both pronuclei now forms into a skein.

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 Romanes, George John

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