eucaryote,
any cell or organism that possesses a clearly defined
nucleus, a description that excludes bacteria and blue-green
algae. The eucaryotic cell has a nuclear membrane, well-defined
chromosomes (bodies containing the hereditary material), mitochondria
(cellular energy exchangers), a Golgi apparatus (secretory device),
an endoplasmic reticulum (a canal-like communication system
within the cell), and lysosomes (digestive apparatus within
many cell types).
Copyright (c) 1994, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Michael Lachmann /
Stanford University / dirk@charles.stanford.edu