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

< 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 eukaryotes

But there are some important caveats: it counts only the eukaryotes, that is, critters with relatively complex cells.
Ancestors that split from archaea evolved into eukaryotes-life-forms, including humans, whose cells have nuclei.
Biological cells come in two main types: prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
We all know that eukaryotes are bigger than prokaryotes.
The researchers decided to concentrate on yeast as it is one of the best studied eukaryotes on the planet.
They are formed by a symbiotic relationship between a single-celled fungus and a single-celled algae, both eukaryotes.
In eukaryotes, they are located in the nucleus and the cytoplasm.
Larger eukaryotes, such as mammals, have motile cilia as well.

British Dictionary definitions for eukaryotes

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

eukaryotes 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.

eukaryotes 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

eukaryotes 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.”