Parthenogenesis:  when one plus none makes two

Parthenogenesis: when one plus none makes two


The animal kingdom is full of wonders, not the least of which is a unique way of reproducing called parthenogenesis [par-then-ō-GEN-ah-sus].

Of course, the usual way animals reproduce is by mating, during which egg cells and sperm each contribute 50 percent of the genes required by their offspring. In parthenogenesis, the female’s body comes up with unique ways to substitute for the genes supplied by sperm.

Without going into all the genetic and physiologic details, suffice it to say that female animals from honey bees and snakes to fish and lizards have surprised us by giving birth to offspring with no history of male contact. Parthenogenesis began millions of years ago in the simplest of organisms, but now it may help bolster some species in tough environmental circumstances.

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