amitosis

[am-i-toh-sis, ey-mahy-]

noun

Biology.

1. the direct method of cell division, characterized by simple cleavage of the nucleus without the formation of chromosomes.

amitosis

/ ˌæmɪˈtɒtɪk, ˌæmɪˈtəʊsɪs /

noun

1. an unusual form of cell division in which the nucleus and cytoplasm divide by constriction without the formation of chromosomes; direct cell division

Other Word Forms

• amitotic adjective
• amitotically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of amitosis¹

First recorded in 1890–95; a- ⁶ + mitosis

Word History and Origins

Origin of amitosis¹

C19: _a- ¹ + _mitosis

Example Sentences

This explanation is in harmony with the occurrence of typical mitosis in active tissue cells on the one hand, and of amitosis in the relatively quiescent primary germ cells on the other.

From Project Gutenberg

The other method, “amitosis,” or direct division, is unaccompanied by any visible mechanism and is of relatively exceptional occurrence.

From Project Gutenberg