POLYKARYOCYTES Meaning and
Definition
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Polykaryocytes refer to large cells that contain multiple nuclei. The term "polykaryocytes" is derived from the Greek words "poly," meaning many, and "karyon," meaning nucleus. This phenomenon is commonly observed in certain types of cells in plants and animals, such as fungi, muscle cells, and certain protozoans.
In organisms with polykaryotic cells, the nuclei often synchronize their division and function, allowing for the coordinated regulation of cellular activities. These large, multinucleated cells usually arise through a process called cell fusion, where multiple individual cells merge together, uniting their genetic material and forming a single complex cell.
Polykaryocytes can possess several advantages for the organisms that have them. For instance, in muscle cells, the fusion of individual cells creates a larger cell with enhanced contractile strength, enabling them to produce more force. In certain fungi, polykaryotic cells allow for efficient nutrient distribution and enable rapid growth and dispersal. Additionally, certain immune cells, such as osteoclasts, which are involved in bone resorption, are formed by the fusion of monocytes, resulting in polykaryotic cells specialized for their functions.
The study of polykaryocytes provides insights into various cellular processes, including cell fusion, nuclear division, and cell specialization. This phenomenon plays a crucial role in the development and functioning of different tissues and organs, highlighting its significance in various biological systems.
Common Misspellings for POLYKARYOCYTES
- oolykaryocytes
- lolykaryocytes
- -olykaryocytes
- 0olykaryocytes
- pilykaryocytes
- pklykaryocytes
- pllykaryocytes
- pplykaryocytes
- p0lykaryocytes
- p9lykaryocytes
- pokykaryocytes
- popykaryocytes
- pooykaryocytes
- poltkaryocytes
- polgkaryocytes
- polhkaryocytes
- polukaryocytes
- pol7karyocytes
- pol6karyocytes
- polyjaryocytes
Etymology of POLYKARYOCYTES
The word "polykaryocytes" is a scientific term typically used in the field of biology or medicine. It is formed by combining two Greek roots: "poly" meaning "many" and "karyon" meaning "nucleus". The suffix "-cyte" is derived from the Greek word "kytos" meaning "cell". Therefore, "polykaryocytes" refers to cells with multiple nuclei, such as those found in certain types of fungi or in certain stages of certain animal cells.
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