parthenogenesis

American  

[par-thuh-noh-jen-uh-sis] / ˌpær θə noʊˈdʒɛn ə sɪs /

noun

Biology.

1. development of an egg without fertilization.

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parthenogenesis British  

/ ˌpɑːθɪˌnəʊdʒɪˈnɛtɪk, 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

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parthenogenesis Scientific  

/ pär′thə-nō-jĕn′ĭ-sĭs /

1. 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.

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Other Word Forms

• parthenogenetic adjective
• parthenogenetically adverb

Etymology

Origin of parthenogenesis

First recorded in 1840–50; partheno- + genesis

Explanation

Use the scientific term parthenogenesis to describe an animal's asexual reproduction — in other words, the process of an embryo growing without being fertilized. It's all the rage today, as scientists discover more and more animals that can reproduce from the female without help from the male. Many plants develop through parthenogenesis, as well as invertebrates, fish, reptiles, and insects. The roots of the word itself are Greek, and mean essentially "maiden borne," from parthenos, "virgin," and genesis, "origin."

Example Sentences

The pregnancy was thought to be the result of a type of asexual reproduction called parthenogenesis, in which offspring develop from unfertilized eggs, meaning there is no genetic contribution by a male.

From Seattle Times • May 31, 2024

The pregnancy is likely due to a phenomenon called parthenogenesis.

From BBC • Feb. 15, 2024

Its biggest lesson now is on the process of parthenogenesis: a type of asexual reproduction in which offspring develop from unfertilized eggs, meaning there is no genetic contribution by a male.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2024

But some have an alternative called parthenogenesis: no males needed.

From New York Times • Feb. 13, 2024

What really happens is that whenever alternative courses of action are called for, the individuality splits up and continues on two or more divergent planes, very much like the parthenogenesis of a unicellular animal ...

From The Doorway by Smith, Evelyn E.