cell division

noun

, Biology.

1. the division of a cell in reproduction or growth.

cell division

noun

1. cytology the division of a cell into two new cells during growth or reproduction See amitosis meiosis mitosis

cell division

1. The process by which a cell divides into two or more cells. Among prokaryotes, cell division occurs by simple fission. Among eukaryotes, the cell nucleus divides first, and then a new cell membrane is formed between the nuclei to form the new cell. Cell division is used as a means of reproduction in organisms that reproduce asexually, as by fission or spore formation, and sexually reproducing organisms form gametes through cell division. Cell division is also the source of tissue growth and repair in multicellular organisms. The two types of cell division in eukaryotic organisms are mitosis and meiosis.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cell division¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

The awe-inspiring process of cell division can turn a fertilized egg into a baby -- or a cancerous cell into a malignant tumor.

From Science Daily

Reduced cell division and cancer spread were also observed in experiments conducted on zebrafish.

From Science Daily

From bacteria to blue whales, every living being on Earth relies on cell division for growth, reproduction, and species survival.

From Science Daily

This prevents uncontrolled cell division and cancer formation.

From Science Daily

During cell division and growth, actomyosin pushes the nuclei of different cells back and forth to influence the shapes of individual cells that make up the wing disc.

From Science Daily