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Glite Dictionary
heterogenesis

heterogenesis

9.9
A life cycle with stages that reproduce sexually and stages that reproduce without sex
  • noun
  • /ˌhɛtəroʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : heterogénesis
  • Some parasites exhibit heterogenesis, alternating between sexual and asexual phases during their life cycles.

Examples

  • Many species exhibit heterogenesis as part of their reproductive strategy.

  • The study focused on organisms that use heterogenesis as a reproductive strategy.

  • Understanding heterogenesis is important in the context of evolutionary biology.

  • The study of heterogenesis is fascinating.

  • Some parasites exhibit heterogenesis, alternating between sexual and asexual phases to complete their life cycle.

  • The study focused on animals that show heterogenesis through different modes of reproduction.

  • Understanding heterogenesis helps clarify the reproductive strategies found in various plant species.

Synonyms

xenogenesis
vsheterogenesis
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A life cycle in which a plant or animal changes between different forms

is applied when generations differ by reproduction mode rather than being noted in groups
alternation of generations
vsheterogenesis
  • Specialized
8.4

A life cycle in plants and some algae with two different forms, one sexual and one asexual

focuses on alternation where generations use different modes of reproduction
metagenesis
vsheterogenesis
  • Specialized
9.9

An organism with one generation that reproduces by sex and the next generation that reproduces without sex

is broader and applies to alternation of forms beyond sexual and asexual cases

Surface Forms

heterogenesis singular
heterogeneses plural

Morphology

heterogenesis = genesis (semi-transparent) = hetero + genesis

The parts 'hetero-' and 'genesis' are recognizable, but the precise biological sense 'alternation of distinct generations' is specialized and not directly inferable by an average B1 learner.

Etymology

Heterogenesis comes from the Greek parts hetero- meaning 'different' and -genesis meaning 'birth' or 'origin'. So heterogenesis is like 'different births', which helps you remember it describes a life cycle that changes between different forms or generations.