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Macronucleus vs Micronucleus - What's the difference?

macronucleus | micronucleus |

In biology terms the difference between macronucleus and micronucleus

is that macronucleus is the larger of the two nuclei present in ciliate protozoans; it controls the nonreproductive functions of the cell while micronucleus is the smaller of the nuclei of a ciliate protozoan.

macronucleus

English

Noun

(wikipedia macronucleus) (macronuclei)
  • (biology) The larger of the two nuclei present in ciliate protozoans; it controls the nonreproductive functions of the cell.
  • *1890 Proceedings, American Philosophical Society
  • *:These binucleated forms have one macronucleus functional and another sexual micronucleus which is not functional in the ordinary life processes of the species.

    • Synonyms

    * meganucleus

    micronucleus

    English

    Noun

    (wikipedia micronucleus) (micronuclei)
  • (biology) A small nucleus.
  • (biology) The smaller of the nuclei of a ciliate protozoan.

    • Derived terms

    * micronuclear