Coenocyte
Coenocyte
Coenocyte (pronounced: /koʊˈɛnəˌsaɪt/) is a term used in biology to describe a type of cell structure particularly common in fungi, algae, and slime molds.
Etymology
The term "coenocyte" is derived from the Greek words "koinos", meaning common, and "kytos", meaning cell. It was first used in the late 19th century to describe the unique cellular structure of certain organisms.
Definition
A coenocyte is a multinucleated cell which results from multiple nuclear divisions without accompanying cell divisions, leading to a large cell with many nuclei. This is in contrast to a syncytium, where the cell's cytoplasm is shared among many nuclei due to cell fusion.
Related Terms
- Hyphae: These are the long, branching filamentous structures of fungi. In some fungi, the hyphae are coenocytic.
- Mycelium: This is the vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of fine white filaments (hyphae). It can also be coenocytic.
- Nuclear division: The process by which the nucleus of a cell is divided into two, often concurrent with cell division.
- Cell division: The process by which a parent cell divides into two or more daughter cells.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Coenocyte
- Wikipedia's article - Coenocyte
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