Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
🧬 Extra cell nucleus 🔬 A small nucleus
micronucleus

micronucleus

1 9.9
A small extra body inside a cell made when chromosome parts or whole chromosomes are left out during cell division
  • noun
  • /ˌmaɪkroʊˈnjuːkliəs/
  • Specialized
: micronúcleo
  • The cell contained a micronucleus due to improper division.

Examples

  • Detection of a micronucleus can indicate genetic damage in laboratory tests.

  • Many cells have multiple micronuclei after exposure to radiation.

  • The scientist observed a micronucleus in the cell sample after exposure to the chemical.

  • Researchers counted the number of micronuclei to assess the effects of radiation on cells.

  • During the experiment, researchers observed that the micronucleus presented unique genetic markers distinct from the main nucleus.

  • The presence of a micronucleus can indicate damage to the genetic material during cell division.

  • Scientists use a micronucleus assay to evaluate the effects of chemicals on cell division and genetic integrity.

Surface Forms

micronucleus singular
micronuclei plural

Morphology

micronucleus = nucleus (transparent) = micro + nucleus

The word is transparently built from 'micro-' plus 'nucleus', and the added biological nuance does not obscure the basic small-nucleus meaning.

Etymology

Micronucleus is made of micro- ('small') and nucleus ('core' or 'center'), the same idea you see in microphone. In cells it means a tiny extra nucleus-like body that can form when chromosome pieces fail to join the main nuclei during division, so finding a micronucleus often points to genetic damage.