eukaryote

[yoo-kar-ee-oht, -ee-uh t] /yuˈkær iˌoʊt, -i ət/

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 of eukaryote

< New Latin Eukaryota, earlier Eucaryotes (1925) “those having a true nucleus,” equivalent to eu- eu- + Greek káry(on) nut, kernel (see karyo-) + New Latin -ota, -otes; see -ote

Related forms

eukaryotic

[yoo-kar-ee-ot-ik] /yuˌkær iˈɒt ɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective

Examples from the web for eukaryote

Drosophila is the third so-called eukaryote to have its genes more-or-less completely unravelled.
Not to mention multicellular-centric and eukaryote-centric.
All kinds of plants and animals, including humans, belonged to the eukaryote branch.
Its host was able to reproduce, and one of its descendants took up residence inside the cell of a eukaryote.
That, as eukaryote notes, puts the realm of ethical behavior solidly in scientific territory.
It is this nucleus that gives the eukaryote its name, which means true nucleus.

British Dictionary definitions for eukaryote

eukaryote

/juːˈkærɪˌɒt/

noun

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

Derived Forms

eukaryotic, eucaryotic (ˌjuːkærɪˈɒtɪk) adjective

Word Origin

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

eukaryote in Medicine

eukaryote eu·kar·y·ote or 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·kar'y·ot'ic (-ŏt'ĭk) adj.

eukaryote in Science

eukaryote

(y-kār'ē-ōt)
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

eukaryote in Culture

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.”