cleavage (redirected from cleavages)

cleavage /cleav·age/ (klēv´ij)

1. division into distinct parts.

2. the early successive splitting of a zygote into smaller cells (blastomeres) by mitosis.

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cleav·age (klvj)

n.

1. A series of cell divisions in the ovum immediately following fertilization. Also called segmentation.

2. The splitting of a complex molecule into two or more simpler molecules. Also called scission.

3. The linear clefts in the skin, indicating the general direction of the fibers in the dermis.

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cleavage

[klē′vij]

Etymology: AS, cleofan, to split

1 the series of repeated mitotic cell divisions that occur in an ovum immediately after fertilization. It transforms the single-celled zygote into a multicellular embryo capable of growth and differentiation. During cleavage, the embryo remains uniform in size as its cells, or blastomeres, become smaller with each division. Kinds of cleavage include determinate cleavage, equal cleavage, indeterminate cleavage, partial cleavage, total cleavage, and unequal cleavage.

2 the act or process of splitting, primarily a complex molecule into two or more simpler molecules. cleave, v.

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cleavage

1. division into distinct parts, e.g. the double helix.

2. the early successive splitting of a fertilized ovum into smaller cells (blastomeres) by mitosis. See also holoblastic, meroblastic.

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cleavage site

the places on a strand of DNA where the restriction enzyme cleaves the DNA.