Ontogeny

Definition

The biological development and growth of an individual organism from the moment of fertilization through adulthood, including all physical and physiological changes. Distinguished from phylogeny, which traces the evolutionary history of a species.

Example Usage

The ontogeny of a butterfly includes distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

Origin

From Greek 'onto-' (being) and 'geneia' (origin or generation).

Fun Fact

The phrase 'ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny' was a popular but largely discredited theory that an organism's development mirrors its species' evolutionary history.

Source: Definition backfill (hailey)

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