/ˌsärkəˈnā, -ˈnā/ (sär-kə-NAY, -NAY)

Definitions

1. noun

A membrane-bound organelle in certain bacteria, such as Mycoplasma, that contains the cell’s genetic material.

“The scientists studied the structure and function of the sarcinae in the Mycoplasma bacterium.”

2. plural noun

The plural form of sarcina, referring to a group of bacteria that are membrane-bound and contain the cell’s genetic material.

“The researchers isolated a sample of sarcinae from the infected tissue and analyzed its genetic makeup.”