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Glite Dictionary
macronucleus

macronucleus

1 9.5
A large part inside some single cells that controls daily cell activities
  • noun
  • /ˌmækroʊˈnjuːklɪəs/
  • Specialized
: macronúcleo
  • Without a functioning macronucleus, the cell cannot perform its normal metabolic processes.

Examples

  • The macronucleus in a paramecium regulates its everyday activities.

  • Scientists observed that the macronucleus divides differently from the micronucleus during cell reproduction.

  • The macronucleus regulates the cell's metabolism.

  • A single-celled organism has one macronucleus.

  • The macronucleus is essential for regulating the cell's metabolic activities.

  • In paramecium, the macronucleus controls the cell's growth and reproduction.

  • The function of the macronucleus is crucial for the proper functioning of many single-celled organisms.

Surface Forms

macronucleus singular
macronuclei plural

Morphology

macronucleus = nucleus (transparent) = macro + nucleus

The meaning is directly compositional: 'macro-' means large and 'nucleus' names the cell structure, yielding 'larger nucleus'.

Etymology

Macronucleus combines macro- meaning 'large' and nucleus meaning 'core' or 'centre', so a macronucleus is the cell's larger 'core' that controls its everyday activities and functions.