Tumaton

Tumaton is a Finnish adjective meaning “without a nucleus” or “nucleated-free.” It is formed from tuma, nucleus, and the suffix -ton, which denotes absence. In Finnish biology literature, tumaton describes cells or cellular components that do not contain a nucleus.

In biology, tumaton is used to discuss anucleate cells. Mature mammalian erythrocytes (red blood cells) lose their nucleus during development, leaving them tumaton in circulating blood. Platelets are another example: they are small cytoplasmic fragments that lack a nucleus. Some specialized plant and animal cells may also be described as tumaton during differentiation; however, most plant cells retain nuclei, so the term is less commonly applied there. The term is mainly encountered in Finnish-language education, and the internationally common English equivalent is anucleate.

Usage notes: While tumaton conveys the specific idea of lacking a nucleus, it is not a technical term widely used outside Finnish contexts. When translating or discussing internationally, “anucleate” or “anuclear” is preferred.

See also: Anucleate, Nucleus, Erythrocyte, Platelet.