Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

indeterminate-cleavage

noun

/ˌɪndɪˈtɜːrmɪnət ˈkliːvɪdʒ/

Definition

A type of cleavage in which the fate of the embryonic cells is not predetermined, allowing for the possibility of forming complete organisms from any of the early cells.

Examples

In many organisms, such as humans, the zygote undergoes indeterminate cleavage, maintaining the potential for cells to develop into various tissues.
Indeterminate cleavage is a characteristic of deuterostomes, such as echinoderms and chordates.

Meaning

Indeterminate cleavage refers to a developmental process in which the cells created during the early stages of embryonic development do not have fixed functions assigned to them; this allows each of these cells the potential to develop into a complete organism.