Definition

A large cell in the bone marrow that produces blood platelets and has a lobed nucleus.

Example

The megakaryocyte is essential for the formation of platelets in the bloodstream.

Conversation

I was reading about blood cells and came across something called a megakaryocyte.

Oh, I've heard of that! It's the cell that produces platelets, right?

Exactly! It's fascinating how it works in the bone marrow.

Yeah, the way it fragments to create platelets is really interesting.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Megakaryocyte → It is formed from "mega-" (from Greek "megas", meaning large) and "karyon" (from Greek, meaning nucleus) and "-cyte" (from Greek "kytos", meaning cell). The word describes a large cell with a prominent nucleus, specifically a type of cell in the bone marrow that produces platelets.

Memory Tip

Think of 'mega' meaning large, and 'karyon' referring to the nucleus — a megakaryocyte is a large cell with a big nucleus that produces platelets.

Visually Confused Words