eukaryote

eukaryote
—eukaryotic /yooh kar'ee ot"ik/, adj.
/yooh kar"ee oht', -ee euht/, n. Biol.
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.
Also, eucaryote. Cf. prokaryote.
[ < NL Eukaryota, earlier Eucaryotes (1925) "those having a true nucleus," equiv. to eu- EU- + Gk káry(on) nut, kernel (see KARYO-) + NL -ota, -otes; see -OTE]

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Any organism composed of one or more cells, each of which contains a clearly defined nucleus enclosed by a membrane, along with organelles (small, self-contained, cellular parts that perform specific functions).

The organelles include mitochondria, chloroplasts, a Golgi apparatus, an endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosomes. All organisms except bacteria are eukaryotes; bacteria are prokaryotes.

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 any cell or organism that possesses a clearly defined nucleus. The eukaryotic cell has a nuclear membrane that surrounds the nucleus, in which the well-defined chromosomes (bodies containing the hereditary material) are located. Eukaryotic cells also contain organelles, including mitochondria (cellular energy exchangers), a Golgi apparatus (secretory device), an endoplasmic reticulum (a canal-like system of membranes within the cell), and lysosomes (digestive apparatus within many cell types). Compare prokaryote.

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Universalium. 2010.

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