micronucleus Zool.
(maɪkrəʊˈnjuːklɪəs)
Pl. -nuclei.
[f. micro- + nucleus.]
The smaller of the two nuclei of a protozoon. Hence microˈnuclear a., of or pertaining to a micronucleus.
| 1892 [see macro-nucleus]. 1901 G. N. Calkins Protozoa 194 The micronuclei play the most important part in conjugation. Ibid., The new macronucleus is formed by the enlargement of a daughter-micronucleus. 1905 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 25 Feb. 441 A special ingrowth of micronuclear cells..gave rise to the mesamœboid (mesoblastic) cells. |