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

One of the most famous recent cases of parthenogenesis involved California condors, an endangered species.

From New York Times • Feb. 13, 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

The chief point of novelty in M. Bataillon's discovery is that we have now an experimental demonstration of parthenogenesis in a vertebrate animal, and in one so highly organised as the frog.

From More Science From an Easy Chair by Lankester, E. Ray (Edwin Ray), Sir