nucleolus

(no̵̅o̅ klēə ləs, nyo̵̅o̅-)

noun pl. nucleoli

a conspicuous, usually spherical, dense body in the nucleus of most cells, consisting of protein and RNA: ribosomes are produced here
also nucleole

Origin: ModL < LL, dim. of L nucleus

Related Forms:

See nucleolus in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. nu·cle·o·li (-līˌ)
Biology
A small, typically round granular body composed of protein and RNA in the nucleus of a cell. It is usually associated with a specific chromosomal site and involved in ribosomal RNA synthesis and the formation of ribosomes.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin

Origin: , from Latin

Origin: , diminutive of nucleus, kernel; see nucleus

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Related Forms:

  • nu·cleˈo·lar (-lər) adjective

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