prokaryote

pro·kar·y·ote

also pro·car·y·ote  (prō-kăr′ē-ōt′)

n.

Any of various microorganisms of the domains Archaea and Bacteria, characterized by the absence of a distinct membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles and by the simultaneous occurrence of DNA transcription and protein synthesis at the same site, in contrast to eukaryotes. Also called moneran.

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[French procaryote : Greek pro-, before; see pro-² + Greek karuōtos, having nuts (from karuon, nut; see karyo-).]

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pro·kar′y·ot′ic (-ŏt′ĭk) adj.

prokaryote

(prəʊˈkærɪɒt) ,

prokaryot

or

procaryote

n

(Biology) any organism having cells in each of which the genetic material is in a single DNA chain, not enclosed in a nucleus. Bacteria and archaeans are prokaryotes. Compare eukaryote

[from pro-² + karyo- + -ote as in zygote]

prokaryotic, procaryotic adj

pro•kar•y•ote

or pro•car•y•ote

(proʊˈkær iˌoʊt, -i ət)

n.

any one-celled organism that lacks a distinct membrane-bound nucleus and has its genetic material in the form of a continuous strand forming loops or coils: characteristic of monerans. Compare eukaryote.

[taken as singular of New Latin Prokaryota, earlier Procaryotes (1925); see pro-², eukaryote]

pro•kar`y•ot′ic (-ˈɒt ɪk) adj.

pro·kar·y·ote

(prō-kăr′ē-ōt′)

Any of a wide variety of one-celled organisms that lack a distinct cell nucleus or other structures bound by a membrane and that have DNA that is not organized into chromosomes. Prokaryotes reproduce asexually, are the most primitive and ancient known forms of life, and include the bacteria and blue-green algae. Prokaryotes are grouped as a separate kingdom in taxonomy. Also called moneran. Compare eukaryote. See Table at taxonomy.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

prokaryote - a unicellular organism having cells lacking membrane-bound nuclei; bacteria are the prime example but also included are blue-green algae and actinomycetes and mycoplasma procaryote organism, being - a living thing that has (or can develop) the ability to act or function independently eucaryote, eukaryote - an organism with cells characteristic of all life forms except primitive microorganisms such as bacteria; i.e. an organism with `good' or membrane-bound nuclei in its cells

Translations

procarionte

procaryote