micronuclei


micronuclei

Molecular biology
A term of art for chromosome fragments which are not incorporated into the nucleus at the time of cell division.
Zoology
The smaller nucleus in ciliate protozoans (e.g., Paramecium).

micronucleus

(mī-krō-nū′klē-ŭs) plural.micronuclei [″ + L. nucleus, kernel] 1. A small nucleus.2. The smaller of the two nuclei of ciliated protozoa; it contains the chromosomes.