Definition
noun
(1) The gradual increase (e.g. in size or number) of an animal or vegetable body over time.
(2) The development of an organism, e.g. of a plant from a seed to full maturity.
(3) Tumor; an abnormal mass in an organism.
Supplement
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Plants, like animals, produce hormones to regulate plant activities, including growth. They need these hormones to respond well to their environment and to sustain growth, development, and dispersal. Plant biologists recognize five major groups of plant hormones: auxins, gibberellins, ethylene, cytokinins, and abscisic acid. Find out in this guide the importance of each hormone in the life of a plant...
This tutorial describes the sigmoid curve, annual plant growth, tree growth, human growth, and insect growth as the growth curves for the corresponding organisms. Read this tutorial to learn more about the different growth patterns...
Control of Growth & Development tutorials look at how the genetic makeup determines the biological processes on a day to day basis. Various hormones are also described. Animals and plants produce hormones to incite and regulate their growth. However, growth is not only genetic and hormonal in nature. It may also depend on external factors,..
In plants, growth occurs in meristems, which are the site of repeated cell division of unspecialized cells. These cells differentiate and become specialized in relation to the function they will perform. Learn more about plant meristems in this tutorial...
The human body is capable of regulating growth and energy balance through various feedback mechanisms. Get to know the events of absorptive and post-absorptive states. This tutorial also describes the endocrine and neural control of compounds such as insulin and glucagon. It also deals with the regulation of growth, heat loss, and heat gain. ..
Plants and animals need elements, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium for proper growth and development. Certain chemicals though can halt growth, e.g. herbicides in plants, or affect normal physiological activities, e.g. alcohol. For more info, read this tutorial on the effects of chemicals on plants and animals...