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

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

The pregnancy is likely due to a phenomenon called parthenogenesis.

From BBC

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

By the time the two scientists and other colleagues published their parthenogenesis finding in 2021, the two unusual chicks, or parthenotes, were long gone.

From New York Times

Some had three sets of chromosomes, whereas eggs laid by mothers reproducing through parthenogenesis usually have only two.

From Scientific American