Dictionary > Ametaboly

Ametaboly

Definition
noun
(entomology)
A type of growth or life cycle in insects in which there is slight or no metamorphosis, only a gradual increase in size.
Supplement
An example of ametabolous insect is the silverfish Lepisma in which there is almost no change in form but only in size throughout its life cycle.
Word origin: a- prefix meaning “without” or “not” + Gk metabol(e) change.
Synonym: ametabolism.

Compare: holometabolism, hemimetabolism.

See also: metamorphosis.

Last updated on January 20th, 2021

You will also like...

Selective Breeding
Selective Breeding

Gregor Mendel's studies into Monohybrid and Dihybrid crossing and Charles Darwin's study of evolution and natural select..

Neurology of Illusions
Neurology of Illusions

Illusions are the perceptions and sensory data obtained from situations in which human error prevents us from seeing the..

Plant Auxins
Plant Auxins – Phototropism & Geotropism

Plants produce hormones to regulate their growth. Auxins, for instance, influence plant growth. Know the role of auxin i..

Population Regulation in an Ecosystem
Population Regulation in an Ecosystem

With regard to the population size of a species and what factors may affect them, two factors have been defined. They ar..

Biological Cell Defense
Biological Cell Defense

Organisms employ different strategies to boost its defenses against antigens. Humans have an immune system to combat pat..

kinesin motor proteins transporting molecules across microtubules
Movement of Molecules Across Cell Membranes

Molecules move within the cell or from one cell to another through different strategies. Transport may be in the form of..