PYKNOSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Pyknosis refers to a cellular process that occurs during apoptosis or programmed cell death. It is a characteristic change in the nucleus of a dying cell, where the chromatin becomes densely packed and condensed. This process is marked by the shrinkage and darkening of the nucleus due to the coiling and clumping of chromatin fibers.
In more technical terms, pyknosis involves the loss of the nucleus's usual organization and the compaction of DNA into tight, condensed structures. This results in the fragmentation of the nucleus and the formation of small, irregularly shaped clumps. As pyknosis progresses, the nucleus becomes smaller and more condensed until it eventually disintegrates.
Pyknosis is an essential step in the process of apoptosis, which allows for the controlled and organized elimination of unwanted or damaged cells in multicellular organisms. By undergoing pyknosis, cells ensure that their DNA is compacted and protected, preventing the release of potentially harmful cellular components that could impact neighboring cells. This nuclear condensation is an observable feature that is widely used in laboratory research and pathological analysis, as it helps identify cells undergoing programmed cell death.
Common Misspellings for PYKNOSIS
- oyknosis
- lyknosis
- -yknosis
- 0yknosis
- ptknosis
- pgknosis
- phknosis
- puknosis
- p7knosis
- p6knosis
- pyjnosis
- pymnosis
- pylnosis
- pyonosis
- pyinosis
- pykbosis
- pykmosis
- pykjosis
- pykhosis
Etymology of PYKNOSIS
The word "pyknosis" derives from the Greek words "pykno" meaning "dense" or "compact", and "osis" meaning "condition" or "disease". In the context of biology and pathology, pyknosis refers to the process of nuclear condensation and shrinkage that occurs in a dying or degenerating cell.
Similar spelling word for PYKNOSIS
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