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cell division

cell division

5 2.8
A cell splits to make two new cells for growth or repair
  • noun
  • /sɛl dɪˈvɪʒən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : división celular
  • In biology, one of the basic processes of living cells is called cell division.
  • algal cell division
  • increased cell division
  • rate of cell division

We get there by a series of of cell divisions and cell differentiations.

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Examples

  • Under suitable conditions, the spores germinate and grow by mitotic cell divisions to form the gametophyte.

    Academic text (2002)
  • A preimplantation embryo of about 150 cells is produced by cell division following fertilization.

    Academic text (2007)
  • Harold continues this theme in Chapter 6, which deals with cell division.

    Academic text (2003)
  • If all goes well, cell division is halted when the chemical switch is turned off.

    Academic text (1992)
  • We get there by a series of of cell divisions and cell differentiations.

  • These look like early stage cell divisions of Crustacea.

  • Accelerated cell division results in early maturity of nerve tissue.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Ruderman is best known for her work on the molecular mechanisms that regulate cell division.

    Blog text (17)
  • Because telomerase is critical to maintaining cellular stability and cell division, altering this enzyme's activity may have varied uses.

    Academic text (1998)
  • The healthy human body relies on cell division to replace aging or dead cells.

Synonyms

mitosis
vscell division
  • Specialized
7 5.5

A process in which one cell divides to make two cells with the same number of chromosomes

describes the whole living unit splitting into two new units for growth or reproduction
cellular division
vscell division
  • Specialized
1 3.8

A process in which a cell splits to make two or more new cells for growth and reproduction

splits a living unit specifically into exactly two new units

Antonyms

33 4.1

A joining of two different styles into one, for example music and food

Surface Forms

cell division singular

Morphology

cell + division

The meaning is directly compositional: combining 'cell' (a living unit) with 'division' (the process of splitting) yields the process by which a cell splits into two. Although 'division' has other senses (e.g. math), the phrase follows a common noun+noun composition found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words can reasonably infer the intended biological meaning.

Etymology

The phrase cell division paints a simple picture: a single living cell splits and becomes two, so division is the act of that split. That's why the phrase means the process cells use for 'growth' and 'reproduction'.