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nucleolus

nucleolus

8.9
A small round part inside a cell that helps make ribosomes
  • noun
  • /njuˈkliːələs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : nucleolo
  • On histopathology, clusters of oncocytes with prominent granular eosinophilic cytoplasm, a centrally placed nucleus, and a single nucleolus are separated by and surrounded by capillaries.
  • a single nucleolus

Examples

  • In both studies, the donor nuclei carried a genetic marker (single nucleolus in Xenopus and pigment pattern in Rana).

    Academic text (1999)
  • A single prominent nucleolus is typically present.

    Academic text (2009)
  • Within the nucleus you have a structure called the nucleolus, where aspects of the nucleic acids necessary for protein biosynthesis are made.

  • The nucleolus is responsible for producing ribosomal RNA, essential for protein synthesis.

  • A human cell typically contains one large nucleolus, which plays a crucial role in ribosome formation.

  • During microscopy, the nucleolus can be seen as a distinct, dense structure within the cell's nucleus.

Synonyms

nucleole
vsnucleolus
  • Specialized
9.9

A small round part inside a cell nucleus that helps make ribosomes

focuses specifically on making ribosomes rather than general protein production

Compounds

nucleolus organizer
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Part of a chromosome that makes the nucleolus after cell division

Surface Forms

nucleolus singular
nucleoli plural

Morphology

nucleolus = nucleus (opaque) = nucle + olus

The suffix '-olus' is a diminutive, but the specific biological meaning is specialized and not directly derivable from 'nucleus'.

Etymology

The word nucleolus comes from the Latin nucleus ('kernel' or 'nut') and the small ending -olus meaning 'little', so it literally means 'little kernel'. So, a nucleolus is the small, round 'kernel' you see inside a cell's nucleus.