- eukaryote
-
—eukaryotic /yooh kar'ee ot"ik/, adj./yooh kar"ee oht', -ee euht/, n. Biol.any organism having as its fundamental structural unit a cell type that contains specialized organelles in the cytoplasm, a membrane-bound nucleus enclosing genetic material organized into chromosomes, and an elaborate system of division by mitosis or meiosis, characteristic of all life forms except bacteria, blue-green algae, and other primitive microorganisms.Also, eucaryote. Cf. prokaryote.[ < NL Eukaryota, earlier Eucaryotes (1925) "those having a true nucleus," equiv. to eu- EU- + Gk káry(on) nut, kernel (see KARYO-) + NL -ota, -otes; see -OTE]
* * *
Any organism composed of one or more cells, each of which contains a clearly defined nucleus enclosed by a membrane, along with organelles (small, self-contained, cellular parts that perform specific functions).The organelles include mitochondria, chloroplasts, a Golgi apparatus, an endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosomes. All organisms except bacteria are eukaryotes; bacteria are prokaryotes.* * *
▪ biologyany cell or organism that possesses a clearly defined nucleus. The eukaryotic cell has a nuclear membrane that surrounds the nucleus, in which the well-defined chromosomes (bodies containing the hereditary material) are located. Eukaryotic cells also contain organelles, including mitochondria (cellular energy exchangers), a Golgi apparatus (secretory device), an endoplasmic reticulum (a canal-like system of membranes within the cell), and lysosomes (digestive apparatus within many cell types). Compare prokaryote.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
eukaryote — n. an organism with good or membrane bound nuclei having multiple chromosomes; eucaryotes also have other membrane bound organelles such as mitochondria or chloroplasts, within the cytoplasm enclosed by the outer membrane. Such cells are… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
eukaryote — [yo͞o kar′ē ōt΄] n. [< Gr eu , good + karyōtis, a date < karyon, a nut, fruit stone, kernel] a living organism made up of cells with true nuclei that divide by mitosis: in some systems of biological classification, any of a superkingdom… … English World dictionary
Eukaryote — Eukaryotes Temporal range: Proterozoic – Recent Scientific classification Domain: Eukaryota Whittaker Margulis,1978 Kingdoms … Wikipedia
eukaryote — also eucaryote noun Etymology: New Latin Eukaryotes, proposed subdivision of protists, from eu + kary + otes, plural noun suffix, from Greek ōtos more at otic Date: 1943 any of a domain (Eukarya) or a higher taxonomic group (Eukaryota) above the… … New Collegiate Dictionary
Eukaryote — Eukaryota Eukaryotes … Wikipédia en Français
Eukaryote — Organism whose cells have (1) chromosomes with nucleosomal structure and separated from the cytoplasm by a two membrane nuclear envelope, and (2) compartmentalisation of a function in distinct cytoplasmic organelles. Contrast Prokaryotes… … Dictionary of molecular biology
eukaryote — noun Any of the single celled or multicellular organisms, of the taxonomic domain Eukaryota, whose cells contain at least one distinct nucleus. See Also: eukaryon, eukaryotic, prokaryote … Wiktionary
Eukaryote — An organism that consists of one or more cells with a nucleus and other well developed compartments. People are eukaryotes. Eukaryotes include all organisms except bacteria, viruses and certain (blue green) algae which, by contrast, are… … Medical dictionary
eukaryote — A multicellular organism having true membrane bound nuclei containing chromosomes that undergo mitosis … Forensic science glossary
eukaryote — n. organism made up of cells that have cell organelles and nuclei with chromosomes (characteristic of all cells except for bacteria and other very primitive life forms) … English contemporary dictionary