The life cycle pattern in plants where a diploid sporophyte generation alternates with a haploid gametophyte generation. The sporophyte produces spores through meiosis, while the gametophyte produces gametes through mitosis.
From Latin 'alternare' meaning 'to do by turns' and 'generatio' meaning 'a begetting' or 'generation'. The concept was formalized in the 1850s by German botanist Wilhelm Hofmeister, who first described this fundamental pattern underlying all plant reproduction.
Alternation of generations is like plants living double lives - they literally exist as two completely different organisms in one lifetime! What's mind-blowing is that this same pattern exists whether you're looking at a tiny moss or a giant redwood tree, making it one of biology's most universal success stories.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.