parthenogenesis

parthenogenesis /pär′thənōjen″əsis/ [Gk, parthenos, virgin, genesis, origin] , a type of nonsexual reproduction in which an organism develops from an unfertilized ovum, as in many simpler animals. The development of the unfertilized ovum may be artificially induced through mechanical or chemical stimulation. Also called unicellular reproduction.parthenogenic, parthenogenetic, adj.