Homonym: cleavage (Separation)
Cleavage refers to the way a material splits or divides into parts. In geology, it describes how certain minerals break along specific planes, creating smooth surfaces. This property is important for identifying minerals, as it can indicate their internal structure and bonding.
In biology, cleavage is the process of cell division that occurs after fertilization. This rapid series of divisions transforms a single fertilized egg into a multicellular organism. The pattern and timing of cleavage can vary among different species, influencing the development of the embryo and its eventual form.