ScienceAugust 26, 2026

meiotic

my-AH-tik

Definition

Relating to or involving meiosis, the specialized form of cell division that results in the production of reproductive cells with half the normal number of chromosomes.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word 'meioun,' meaning 'to diminish' or 'to make smaller,' as this process reduces the number of chromosomes in the daughter cells.

In the news

The article uses the term to distinguish the conventional stage of genetic recombination in sperm from newly discovered changes occurring during pre-meiotic cell divisions.

Unexpected Source of Genetic Variation Identified in Human Sperm

Read the full article ↗

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