ametabolic
Definition
- Adjective:
- Undergoing no (or only slight) metamorphosis: Describes an organism, typically an insect or other arthropod, that does not go through a significant change in form during its development from young to adult. The young resemble the adults closely.
- Undergoing slight or no metamorphosis: This is a more general definition, emphasizing that any developmental change is minimal or absent.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Silverfish are ametabolic insects; their young look like small versions of the adults.
- The ametabolic development of some primitive arthropods contrasts with the complete metamorphosis seen in butterflies.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific Context: The term is primarily used in entomology and zoology to classify developmental patterns. It is the opposite of "holometabolic" (undergoing complete metamorphosis) or "hemimetabolic" (undergoing incomplete metamorphosis).
- The study compared the ametabolic species with those exhibiting complex life cycles.
Variants and Related Words
- Ametabolism (n): The state or condition of being ametabolic; development without metamorphosis.
- Ametabolism is a characteristic of certain ancient insect orders.
- Ametabolous (adj): A synonym for "ametabolic," used interchangeably in scientific literature.
- Ametabolous insects, like bristletails, molt even after reaching sexual maturity.
Synonyms
- Ametabolous: Having no metamorphosis.
- Direct-developing: Developing without a larval stage or significant metamorphosis.
Antonyms
- Metabolic: Relating to or undergoing metamorphosis.
- Holometabolic: Undergoing complete metamorphosis (e.g., egg, larva, pupa, adult).
- Hemimetabolic: Undergoing incomplete or partial metamorphosis.
Adjective
-
undergoing no (or only slight) metamorphosis
-
undergoing slight or no metamorphosis
Khám phá thêm
Các từ liên quan
Từ đồng nghĩa
Từ trái nghĩa
Từ tương tự
