Miosis

1 definition found

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  miosis
       n 1: (genetics) cell division that produces reproductive cells in
            sexually reproducing organisms; the nucleus divides into
            four nuclei each containing half the chromosome number
            (leading to gametes in animals and spores in plants)
            [syn: {meiosis}, {reduction division}]


       2: reflex contraction of the sphincter muscle of the iris in
          response to a bright light (or certain drugs) causing the
          pupil to become smaller [syn: {light reflex}, {pupillary
          reflex}, {myosis}]
       [also: {mioses} (pl)]