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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

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 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

As soon as the nucleus of the spermatozoon, now known as the male pronucleus, reaches the interior of the egg, it enlarges and becomes similar in appearance to the female pronucleus.

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

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

The pronuclei have come into contact, and the spindle-system is now arranged across their common axis.

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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