adjective
- of, relating to, or characterized by a heterokaryon; containing nuclei of different genetic composition within a single cell or organism.
Usage: biology; mycology; technical
Examples
- The fungal strain was heterokaryotic, containing nuclei from two different parent organisms.
- Heterokaryotic cells can exhibit different phenotypes depending on which nucleus is active.
- In mycology, heterokaryotic hyphae are common in certain fungal species.
- The researcher studied heterokaryotic mycelium to understand nuclear interaction.
- Heterokaryotic conditions allowed the organism to express traits from both parental genotypes.