What is parthenogenesis?

Typically, reproduction is thought of as the combination of sperm and egg to form a zygote. In parthenogenesis, however, an egg develops in the absence of fertilization. Adults resulting from parthenogenesis are typically haploid. When forming new cells, the cells of these individuals do not undergo meiosis.

"Parthenogenesis" is derived from parenthenos, Greek for "virgin birth".

When parthenogenesis occurs in nature, an offspring is produced in the absence of a genetic father. Fertilization is able to occur in a female only setting.

Artificially induced parthenogenesis typically results in an egg that has the capacity to divide cellularly. Forcing parthenogenesis in a non parthenogenetic individual is not done with the purpose of creating a viable offspring. Instead, experiments have been conducted to test conditions suitable for inducing division. [A]