eukaryote

[ yoo-kar-ee-oht, -ee-uht ]

noun

, Microbiology.

1. any organism of the domain Eukaryota, 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 and other primitive microorganisms.

eukaryote

/ juːˈkærɪˌɒt; ˌjuːkærɪˈɒtɪk /

noun

1. See prokaryote
   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 animals Compare prokaryote

eukaryote

/ yo̅o̅-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.
2. Compare prokaryote

eukaryote

1. 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 .)

Notes

The word eukaryote comes from the Greek for “true nucleus.”

Eukaryotes evolved in a process in which one early prokaryote consumed another, forming a more complex structure.

Derived Forms

• eukaryotic, adjective

Other Words From

• eu·kar·y·ot·ic eu·car·y·ot·ic [yoo-kar-ee-, ot, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eukaryote¹

First recorded in 1960–65; Eukaryota ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of eukaryote¹

from eu- + karyo- + -ote as in zygote

Example Sentences

More recently, scientists have debated how to organize eukaryotes, organisms that store DNA within a cell nucleus.

From Science News

The structure of genes in eukaryotes is complicated, because their blueprints for making proteins are broken up by introns.

From Quanta Magazine

The four primary histones of eukaryotes — H2A, H2B, H3 and H4 — assemble into octamers with two copies of each.

From Quanta Magazine

It’s an ingenious solution — but eukaryotes didn’t invent it entirely on their own.

From Quanta Magazine

I think we’ve got to be very careful to ask whether we find similarities between viruses and eukaryotes.

From Quanta Magazine