ontogeny Definition
the development of an individual organism or anatomical or behavioral feature from the earliest stage to maturity.
Using ontogeny: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "ontogeny" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The ontogeny of a butterfly involves several stages, including egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
Example
The ontogeny of language acquisition in children is a complex process that has been studied extensively.
Example
The ontogeny of the human brain is still not fully understood.
ontogeny Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for ontogeny
Phrases with ontogeny
a discredited biological hypothesis that suggests that the embryonic development of an organism mirrors its evolutionary history
Example
The theory of ontogeny recapitulating phylogeny has been largely discredited, but it still has some influence in certain fields.
Example
The ontogeny of memory is a complex process that involves many different brain regions and mechanisms.
Example
The ontogeny of behavior in animals is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors.
Summary: ontogeny in Brief
Ontogeny [änˈtäjənē] refers to the development of an individual organism or anatomical or behavioral feature from the earliest stage to maturity. It is a complex process that can involve multiple stages and factors, such as genetics and environment. The phrase 'ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny' is a discredited biological hypothesis that suggests that the embryonic development of an organism mirrors its evolutionary history.