parthenogenesis

[par-thuh-noh-jen-uh-sis] /ˌpær θə noʊˈdʒɛn ə sɪs/
noun, Biology
1.
development of an egg without fertilization.
Origin
1840-50; partheno- + genesis
Related forms
parthenogenetic
[pahr-thuh-noh-juh-net-ik] /ˌpɑr θə noʊ dʒəˈnɛt ɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective
parthenogenetically, adverb
Examples from the web for parthenogenesis
  • Polyploid animals are often sterile, so they often reproduce by parthenogenesis.
British Dictionary definitions for parthenogenesis

parthenogenesis

/ˌpɑːθɪnəʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/
noun
1.
a type of reproduction, occurring in some insects and flowers, in which the unfertilized ovum develops directly into a new individual
2.
human conception without fertilization by a male; virgin birth
Derived Forms
parthenogenetic (ˌpɑːθɪˌnəʊdʒɪˈnɛtɪk) adjective
parthenogenetically, adverb
Word Origin
C19: from Greek parthenos virgin + genesis birth
Word Origin and History for parthenogenesis
n.

"reproduction without fertilization," 1849, from Greek parthenos "virgin," of unknown origin, + genesis (see genesis). Related: Parthenogenetic.

parthenogenesis in Medicine

parthenogenesis par·the·no·gen·e·sis (pär'thə-nō-jěn'ĭ-sĭs)
n.
A form of reproduction in which an unfertilized egg develops into a new individual, occurring commonly among insects and certain other arthropods.

par'the·no·ge·net'ic (-jə-nět'ĭk) adj.
parthenogenesis in Science
parthenogenesis
  (pär'thə-nō-jěn'ĭ-sĭs)   
Reproduction in which an egg develops into a new individual without being fertilized. Aphids and certain other insects can reproduce by parthenogenesis. Parthenogenesis does not necessarily produce clones of the parent. Among hymenopterans such as honeybees and ants, the haploid males develop from unfertilized eggs laid by the queen, who is diploid. Parthenogenesis is a form of apomixis.

parthenogenetic adjective (pär'thə-nō-jə-nět'ĭk)
Encyclopedia Article for parthenogenesis

biological reproduction that involves development of a female (rarely a male) gamete (sex cell) without fertilization. It occurs commonly among lower plants and invertebrate animals, particularly rotifers, aphids, ants, wasps, and bees. An egg produced parthenogenetically may be either haploid (i.e., with one set of dissimilar chromosomes) or diploid (i.e., with a paired set of chromosomes).

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