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prokaryote

(prō kar′ē ōt′)

noun

an organism lacking a true nucleus: in some systems of biological classification, any of a superkingdom (Prokaryotae) of organisms, including the viruses and monerans

cf. eukaryote

Origin: < Gr pro-, before + karyōtis: see eukaryote

Related Forms:

prokaryotic adjective

See prokaryote in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also pro·car·y·ote

noun

An organism of the kingdom Monera (or Prokaryotae), comprising the bacteria and cyanobacteria, characterized by the absence of a distinct, membrane-bound nucleus or membrane-bound organelles, and by DNA that is not organized into chromosomes. Also called moneran.

Origin:

Origin: French procaryote

Origin: : Greek pro-, before; see pro-²

Origin: + Greek karuōtos, having nuts (from karuon, nut; see karyo-)

Related Forms: