Merogony
/məˈrɒɡəni/noun
A form of asexual reproduction in which one cell divides to produce multiple daughter cells, often merozoites.
Did you know?In malaria parasites, merogony produces numerous merozoites inside a host cell before it ruptures, releasing them to invade new red blood cells.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mer-
“To divide, share, or allot; the reconstructed root behind the idea of a part or portion.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μέρος (meros)
“A part, portion, or share; the source of the scientific combining form mero-.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
γόνος (gonos)
“Offspring, seed, or that which is generated; related to the root of -gony.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
γονή (gonē)
“Generation, production, or offspring; the source of the biological suffix -gony.”
19th Century
Scientific English
merogony
“A technical term formed from mero- (“part”) and -gony (“generation”) for reproductive division producing multiple cells.”
Modern English
English
merogony
“Asexual multiplication by repeated nuclear and cellular division, especially in protozoan parasites such as malaria organisms.”