macronucleus en · NOUN
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *meh₂ḱ- Proto-Indo-European *-rós Proto-Indo-European *mh₂ḱrós Proto-Hellenic *makrós Ancient Greek μᾰκρός (măkrós)der. French macro-der. English macro- Proto-Italic *knuks Latin nux Latin nucleuslbor. English nucleus English macronucleus From macro- + nucleus.
Meanings
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The larger of the two nuclei present in ciliate protozoans; it controls the nonreproductive functions of the cell.
These binucleated forms have one macronucleus functional and another sexual micronucleus which is not functional in the ordinary life processes of the species.
1890, American Philosophical Society, Proceedings:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| macronuclei | Number=Plur | lexicographic |