eucaryote

eucaryote [yoo-kar-ee-oht, -ee-uh t] noun

1. eukaryote.

Related formseu·car·y·ot·ic [yoo-kar-ee-ot-ik] /yuˌkær iˈɒt ɪk/, adjective eukaryote or eu·car·y·ote [yoo-kar-ee-oht, -ee-uh t] noun Biology.

1. 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.

Compare prokaryote. Origin of eukaryote New Latin Eukaryota, earlier Eucaryotes (1925) “those having a true nucleus,” equivalent to eu- eu- + Greek káry(on) nut, kernel (see karyo-) + New Latin -ota, -otes; see -ote Related formseu·kar·y·ot·ic [yoo-kar-ee-ot-ik] /yuˌkær iˈɒt ɪk/, adjective British Dictionary definitions for eucaryote eucaryote noun

1. a variant spelling of eukaryote

eukaryote eucaryote noun

1. any member of the Eukarya, a domain of organisms having cells each with a distinct nucleus within which the genetic material is contained. Eukaryotes include protoctists, fungi, plants, and animalsCompare prokaryote

Derived Formseukaryotic or eucaryotic (ˌjuːkærɪˈɒtɪk), adjectiveWord Origin for eukaryote from eu- + karyo- + -ote as in zygote eucaryote in Medicine eucaryote [yōō-kăr′ē-ōt, -ē-ət] n.

1. Variant ofeukaryote

Related formseu•car′y•ot′ic (-ŏt′ĭk) adj. eukaryote n.

1. A single-celled or multicellular organism whose cells contain a distinct membrane-bound nucleus.

Related formseu•kar′y•ot′ic (-ŏt′ĭk) adj. eucaryote in Science eukaryote [yōō-kăr′ē-ōt]

1. An organism whose cells contain a nucleus surrounded by a membrane and whose DNA is bound together by proteins (histones) into chromosomes. The cells of eukaryotes also contain an endoplasmic reticulum and numerous specialized organelles not present in prokaryotes, especially mitochondria, Golgi bodies, and lysosomes. The organelles are enclosed in a three-part membrane (called a unit membrane) consisting of a lipid layer sandwiched between two protein layers. All organisms except for bacteria and archaea are eukaryotes. Compare prokaryote.

Related formseukaryotic adjective eucaryote in Culture eukaryote [(yooh-kar-ee-oht)]

An organism whose cells contain a nucleus. All multicelled organisms are eukaryotes, as is one superkingdom of single-celled organisms. Eukaryotes also have organelles enclosed by membranes. (Compare prokaryote.)

Note Eukaryotes evolved in a process in which one early prokaryote consumed another, forming a more complex structure.Note The word eukaryote comes from the Greek for “true nucleus.”