alternation of generations -
1Alternation of generations — (also known as alternation of phases or metagenesis) is a term primarily used in describing the life cycle of plants (taken here to mean the Archaeplastida). A multicellular sporophyte, which is diploid with 2N paired chromosomes (i.e. N pairs),… …
2alternation of generations — n. the regular alternation of two distinct body forms in the life cycle of a plant or animal, usually an alternation between a form that reproduces sexually and one that reproduces asexually …
3alternation of generations — Biol. the alternation in an organism s life cycle of dissimilar reproductive forms, esp. the alternation of sexual with asexual reproduction. [1855 60] * * * In biology, alternation of a sexual phase (gametophyte) and a nonsexual phase… …
4alternation of generations — noun the alternation between generations of asexual with sexual reproduction in certain plants and animals, as in mosses and tapeworms …
5alternation of generations — al·ter·na·tion of generations .ȯl tər nā shənalso .al n the occurrence of two or more forms differently produced in the life cycle of a plant or animal usu. involving the regular alternation of a sexual with an asexual generation but not… …
6alternation of generations — The alternation of two or more generations reproducing in different ways; an alternation of sexual and asexual, or parasitic with a free living cycle; see alloiogenesis, digenesis, heterogamy, heterogenesis,heterogonymetagenesis …
7alternation of generations — alterna′tion of genera′tions n. dvl the alternation in an organism s life cycle of dissimilar reproductive forms, esp. the alternation of sexual with asexual generations • Etymology: 1855–60 …
8alternation of generations — Date: 1858 the occurrence of two or more forms differently produced in the life cycle of a plant or animal usually involving the regular alternation of a sexual with an asexual generation …
9alternation of generations — noun Biology a pattern of reproduction shown by some lower plants and invertebrates, involving a regular alternation between sexual and asexual forms (as in ferns) or dioecious and parthenogenetic forms (as in some jellyfishes) …
10alternation of generations — noun the alternation of two or more different forms in the life cycle of a plant or animal • Syn: ↑heterogenesis, ↑xenogenesis • Hypernyms: ↑organic phenomenon • Hyponyms: ↑metagenesis, ↑digenesis …
