eukaryote definition | Dictionary.com

eu⋅kar⋅y⋅ote

[yoo-kar-ee-oht, -ee-uh

–noun Biology.

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.

Compare prokaryote.

Origin:
< 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

Related forms:

eu⋅kar⋅y⋅ot⋅ic [yoo-kar-ee-ot-ik]

, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To eukaryote

eu·kar·y·ote also eu·car·y·ote (yōō-kār'ē-ōt, -ē-ət)

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

[eu- + Greek karuōtos, having nuts (from karuon, nut; see kar- in Indo-European roots).]
eu·kar'y·ot'ic (-ŏt'ĭk) adj.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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.”

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Main Entry: eu·kary·ote
Variant: also eu·cary·ote /(')yü-'kar-E-"Ot, -E-&t/
Function: noun
: anorganism composed of one or more cells containing visibly evident nuclei and organelles —compare PROKARYOTE —eu·kary·ot·ic also eu·cary·ot·ic /-"kar-E-'ät-ik/ adjective

Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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eukaryote eu·kar·y·ote or eu·car·y·ote (y&oomacr;-kār'ē-ōt, -ē-ət)
n.
A single-celled or multicellular organism whose cells contain a distinct membrane-bound nucleus.

eu·kar'y·ot'ic (-ŏt'ĭk) adj.

eukaryote (y

-kār'ē-ōt) Pronunciation Key
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.

eukaryotic adjective

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