macronucleus

English

Etymology

From macro- +‎ nucleus.

Noun

macronucleus (plural macronuclei)

1. (biology) The larger of the two nuclei present in ciliate protozoans; it controls the nonreproductive functions of the cell.
   • 1890, American Philosophical Society, Proceedings:

     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