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pronucleus

(prō no̵̅o̅′klē əs, -nyo̵̅o̅′-)

Zool. the haploid nucleus of either the spermatozoon or the ovum which unite in fertilization to form the fused double (or diploid) nucleus of the fertilized ovum, or zygote

Origin: ModL: see pro- & nucleus

Related Forms:

pronuclear adjective

See pronucleus in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. pro·nu·cle·i (-klē-īˌ)

The haploid nucleus of a sperm or egg before fusion of the nuclei in fertilization.

Related Forms:

pro·nuˈcle·ar adjective

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