Organism Function
parthenogenesis Audio
par·the·no·gen·e·sis [ par-thuh-noh-jen-uh-sis ]
Subclass of:
Plant Physiological Phenomena; Reproduction, Asexual
Etymology:
Greek parthenos = virgin + genesis = production
In other words, pregnancy without fertilization by a male sperm.
Definitions related to parthenogenesis:
  • A unisexual reproduction without the fusion of a male and a female gamete (FERTILIZATION). In parthenogenesis, an individual is formed from an unfertilized OVUM that did not complete MEIOSIS. Parthenogenesis occurs in nature and can be artificially induced.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
  • Modified form of sexual reproduction by the development of a gamete without fertilization; occurs in some plants and invertebrates, especially arthropods, and in certain lizards; may occur naturally or be induced by chemical, thermal, or mechanical stimulation.
    CRISP Thesaurus
    National Institutes of Health, 2006
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