parasexuality
/ˌpɛrəˌsɛkʃuˈæləti/
noun
- A biological process in some fungi and microorganisms that allows genetic recombination without meiosis or sexual reproduction.
- Scientists study parasexuality to understand how some pathogens develop drug resistance.
- Parasexuality enables certain fungi to exchange genetic material even without a typical mating process.
- Unlike sexual reproduction, parasexuality does not involve the formation of specialized sex cells.