actinomorphous

/,æktinə'mɔ:fəs/ Cách viết khác : (actinomorphic) /,æktinə'mc:fik/

Thân thiện

A botanist examines an actinomorphous flower in the field.

Definition

Adjective (Biology): 1. Having radial symmetry; capable of being divided into symmetrical halves by any longitudinal plane passing through the central axis. This term describes the structure of an organism or part (especially a flower) that is symmetrical around a central point, like a daisy or a tulip, so that it can be cut into identical halves along multiple planes.

Usage and Examples

• Describing flower structure: The term is most commonly used in botany to describe flowers whose petals are arranged in a radial pattern.
  • A tulip is an actinomorphous flower, as it can be divided into mirror-image halves by many vertical planes.
  • Botanists classify the rose as actinomorphous due to its radial symmetry.
• Describing biological forms: It can be applied to other radially symmetrical organisms or structures.
  • Some sea anemones exhibit an actinomorphous body plan.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical keys and descriptions: The term is a precise technical descriptor used to contrast with zygomorphous (bilaterally symmetrical) flowers. It is a key characteristic for plant identification and classification.
  • The family is characterized by actinomorphous corollas with five free petals.

Variants and Related Words

• Actinomorphic (adj.): The more commonly used variant, identical in meaning to "actinomorphous."
  • The actinomorphic structure of the flower allows for pollination by various insects.
• Actinomorphy (n.): The noun form denoting the quality or state of being radially symmetrical.
  • Actinomorphy is a common trait in many primitive flowering plants.

Synonyms

• Radially symmetrical
• Regular (in botanical context, meaning having radial symmetry)

Antonyms

• Zygomorphous (adj.): Bilaterally symmetrical; capable of division into symmetrical halves by only one specific longitudinal plane.
• Irregular (in botanical context, meaning lacking symmetry or having bilateral symmetry)

Học thuật

Adjective

1. capable of division into symmetrical halves by any longitudinal plane passing through the axis

Từ đồng nghĩa

• actinomorphic