PLURINUCLEATE Meaning and
Definition
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Plurinucleate is an adjective that refers to an organism or cell that possesses multiple nuclei within a single cell. The term is derived from the Latin roots "pluri-" meaning "many" and "nucleus" referring to the central organelle that contains DNA and controls cellular functions in eukaryotic cells.
In biology, the presence of multiple nuclei within a single cell indicates a stage or condition where the cell has undergone either nuclear division without cell division or cell fusion resulting in the combination of multiple nuclei. This phenomenon can be seen in various organisms, including fungi, plants, and certain types of animal cells.
Plurinucleate cells may occur naturally as a result of specific developmental processes or as a defense mechanism against stress and damage. For example, in certain fungi like hyphae or mycelium, each compartment can contain multiple nuclei, allowing them to efficiently distribute resources and nutrients throughout the organism. Plurinucleate cells can also be found in plant roots, leaf mesophyll cells, and certain types of muscle cells in animals.
Furthermore, plurinucleate cells have been extensively studied in medical research and pathology. Certain diseases and conditions, such as certain types of tumors or infections, can lead to the formation of multinucleated cells. The observation of plurinucleate cells can provide valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of disease progression and help in diagnosing and identifying specific cellular changes.
Common Misspellings for PLURINUCLEATE
Etymology of PLURINUCLEATE
The word "plurinucleate" is derived from the Latin roots "pluri-" meaning "many" or "several", and "nucleus" meaning "kernel" or "core". The suffix "-ate" is added to indicate the state or quality of being plurinucleate. Therefore, "plurinucleate" refers to a condition or characteristic of having multiple nuclei.
