allometry Definition
the study of the relationship between the size or shape of an organism and its various parts, especially as it affects behavior or physiology.
Using allometry: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "allometry" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
Allometry is used to study the growth patterns of different species.
Example
The allometry of the human brain is a subject of ongoing research.
Example
Allometric scaling is important in understanding the metabolic rates of animals.
Phrases with allometry
a situation where the growth of one part of an organism is slower than the growth of the whole organism
Example
In humans, the head shows negative allometry, meaning that it grows more slowly than the rest of the body.
a situation where the growth of one part of an organism is faster than the growth of the whole organism
Example
In many animals, the size of the brain shows positive allometry, meaning that it grows faster than the rest of the body.
a situation where the growth of one part of an organism is proportional to the growth of the whole organism
Example
In some animals, such as fish, the fins show isometric growth, meaning that they grow at the same rate as the rest of the body.
Origins of allometry
from Greek 'allo-' meaning 'other' + '-metron' meaning 'measure'
Summary: allometry in Brief
'Allometry' [uh-lom-i-tree] refers to the study of the relationship between the size or shape of an organism and its various parts, especially as it affects behavior or physiology. It is used to study the growth patterns of different species and is important in understanding the metabolic rates of animals. The terms 'negative allometry,' 'positive allometry,' and 'isometric growth' are used to describe different growth patterns in organisms.
