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 May 29th, 2023

You will also like...

squirrel
Animal Water Regulation

Animals adapt to their environment in aspects of anatomy, physiology, and behavior. This tutorial will help you understa..

Plant Water Regulation
Plant Water Regulation

Plants need to regulate water in order to stay upright and structurally stable. Find out the different evolutionary adap..

Water Cycle
The Water Cycle

The water cycle (also referred to as the hydrological cycle) is a system of continuous transfer of water from the air, s..

Adaptation Tutorial
Adaptation Tutorial

Adaptation, in biology and ecology, refers to the process or trait through which organisms or the populations in a habit..

Plant biology
Plant Biology

Plantlife can be studied at a variety of levels, from the molecular, genetic and biochemical level through organelles, c..

Early Earth
The Origins of Life

This tutorial digs into the past to investigate the origins of life. The section is split into geological periods in the..

Related Articles...

No related articles found

See all Related Topics