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Definition

noun

(1) A division or separation of form.

(2) (cell biology) The act or state of splitting or dividing of a cell, particularly during the telophase of (animal) cell division.

(3) (embryology) The repeated division of a fertilized ovum, producing a cluster of cells with the same size as the original zygote. . (4) (chemistry) The splitting of a large or complex molecule into smaller or simpler molecules.

Supplement

In embryology, cleavage is the first stage of embryogenesis. It pertains to the repeated mitotic division of a zygote into blastomeres that cluster to a compact mass called morula. Cleavage continues until blastula is formed. The various types of cleavage are:

• Determinate cleavage vs. Indeterminate cleavage
• Holoblastic cleavage vs. Meroblastic cleavage
• Equal cleavage vs. Unequal cleavage
• Discoidal cleavage vs. Superficial cleavage

Related terms:

• Equatorial cleavage
• Enamel cleavage
• Cleavage furrow