Definition
adjective
Of, pertaining to, exhibiting, or characteristic of metamerism
Supplement
The term metameric is used to describe one that exhibits or related to metamerism. In biology, metamerism is the condition of having or developing a linear series of body segments. These segments are fundamentally alike such as that in earthworms. The segments are metameric and are referred to as somites or metameres. Nevertheless, metamerism is not exclusive to certain animals. Certain plants also have metameric segments that are called as phytomers.
Metameric is also used to describe the formation of metameres. An example of that is the term metameric nervous system. A metameric nervous system is that part of the nervous system exhibiting metamerism. It forms in ontogeny from the segmentally arranged somites or from the branchial arches in the head.1
The term metameric is also used in chemistry. It pertains to a chemical substance exhibiting structural isomerism. For instance, xylene, which is found in coal and wood tar, is any of a group of three metameric hydrocarbons of the aromatic series.
Synonym(s):
- metameral
See also:
Related term(s):
- Metamerism
- Metamere
- Metameric nervous system
Reference(s):
1 metameric nervous system. (n.d.) The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary. (2007). Retrieved from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/metameric+nervous+system
