micronucleus

English

Etymology

From micro- +‎ nucleus.

Noun

micronucleus (plural micronuclei)

1. (biology) A small nucleus.
2. (biology) The smaller of the nuclei of a ciliate protozoan (that contains genetic material).
   • 1890, American Philosophical Society, Proceedings:

     These binucleated forms have one macronucleus functional and another sexual micronucleus which is not functional in the ordinary life processes of the species.

Derived terms

• micronuclear