Cleavage
|
|
Cleavage has several common meanings, all related to the formation of a line between two parts:
- Cleavage - partial exposure of the separation between a woman's breasts.
- Cleavage can also refer to partial exposure of buttock cheeks, particularly when visible because of low trousers.
- Cleavage in embryology is the division of cells in the early embryo. The zygotes of many species undergo rapid cell cycles with no significant growth, producing a cluster of cells the same size as the original zygote. See also: embryogenesis.
- Cleavage in mineralogy and materials science is the process of splitting a single crystal along natural planes of separation. This creates a characteristic cleavage fracture, with smooth surfaces.
- Optical fibers can be "cleaved" by similar techniqes, although the fracture is guided entirely by applied stress rather than internal structure.
- Bond cleavage in chemistry refers to the breaking of a chemical bond in a chemical reaction.