What does meiotically mean?
Meiotically means in or with respect to meiosis, the specialized form of cell division found in sexually reproducing organisms. During meiosis, a cell's chromosome number is reduced, typically from a diploid state to a haploid state, while genetic material is rearranged through recombination and independent assortment. These processes help generate variation among offspring and, in many organisms, produce gametes such as sperm and eggs. The adverb is used chiefly in biological and academic writing, often where a sentence would otherwise need a phrase such as “by means of meiosis” or “during meiotic division.” In less technical contexts, the related adjective meiotic is usually more natural. Meiotically should not be confused with mitotically: mitosis preserves chromosome number and is associated with ordinary growth, tissue repair, and cell replacement, whereas meiosis reduces chromosome number.
adverbIn or with respect to meiosis; by means of the specialized cell division that reduces chromosome number and produces haploid cells.
- In or with respect to the process of meiosis.
"The genetic variation was generated meiotically during reproduction."
"The cell divides meiotically, producing cells with half the original number of chromosomes."
"Recombination occurred meiotically and increased the population's genetic diversity."
Meiosis halves the chromosome count, making genetic shuffling one of nature's most precise forms of mixing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of meiotically
Meiotically is formed from the adjective meiotic with the adverbial suffix -ally. Both words ultimately derive from meiosis, a term built from Greek meion, meaning “smaller,” and the suffix -osis, used in the formation of names of biological processes. The terminology developed as biologists distinguished the reductional division of meiosis from the more general process of mitosis.
How meiotically is actually used
This is a technical biological adverb used in academic and specialist writing. It is relatively uncommon because many writers instead use the adjective meiotic before a noun.
Easily confused with meiotically
Meiotic division reduces chromosome number and typically produces gametes, whereas mitotic division preserves chromosome number and supports growth and tissue repair.