Conclusion
Apomixis is a term used in biology to describe a type of asexual reproduction in which seeds are produced without fertilization. This process is considered to be a significant breakthrough in the field of agriculture and plant breeding.
Definitions
Apomixis is a type of reproduction that occurs without the involvement of gametes. It is a process in which a seed is produced without fertilization, and the offspring is genetically identical to the parent plant. This process is different from sexual reproduction, in which gametes from two different individuals combine to form a new organism.
Origin
The term apomixis is derived from the Greek words “apo” meaning “away from” and “mixis” meaning “mixture”. The term was first coined by the German botanist Hans Winkler in 1908.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, apomixis is defined as “asexual reproduction in plants by means of seeds formed without fertilization”.
The Oxford dictionary defines apomixis as “the development of a new individual from an unfertilized egg or a vegetative cell, without the need for sexual reproduction”.
Associations
Apomixis is associated with several benefits, including the ability to produce crops that are genetically identical to the parent plant, which can be useful in agriculture and plant breeding. It also allows for the production of seeds without the need for pollination, which can be beneficial in areas where pollinators are scarce.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of apomixis include asexual reproduction, vegetative reproduction, and agamogenesis.
Antonyms
The antonyms of apomixis are sexual reproduction and fertilization.
The same root words
Some words that share the same root as apomixis include apogamy, apocarpy, and apophasis.
Example Sentences
- Apomixis is a process in which a seed is produced without fertilization.
- Some plants are capable of reproducing through apomixis.
- Apomixis can be beneficial in areas where pollinators are scarce.
In conclusion, apomixis is an essential process in the field of biology that allows for asexual reproduction in plants. This process has several benefits, including the ability to produce genetically identical crops and the production of seeds without the need for pollination. Understanding apomixis is crucial for researchers and scientists working in the field of agriculture and plant breeding.