Generation

(jen-er-a’-shun) [gene rare, to beget]. 1. The act of begetting offspring. 2. A period extending from the birth of an individual to the birth of his offspring, usually estimated at a third of a century. G.. Alternate, the alternation of asexual with sexual generation in the same species of animals or plants, the offspring of one proce differing from that of the other. G., Asexual, reproduction without previous union of two sexual elements; reproduction by fi ion or gemmation. G., Organs of, those that are functional in reproduction. G., Sexual, reproduction by the union of a male and female element. G., Spontaneous, the generation of living from nonliving matter. Genesial, 294