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heteronomous

heteronomous

9.9
Having body parts like legs or wings in different shapes and jobs along the body
  • adjective
  • /ˌhɛtəˈrɒnəməs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : heterónomo
  • The crab's heteronomous limbs allow it to perform a variety of specialized tasks.

Examples

  • Some insects are heteronomous, with legs and wings that serve different purposes on each segment.

  • Many arthropods exhibit heteronomous body plans that enhance their adaptability.

  • Scientists study heteronomous segmentation to understand how animal bodies evolve specialized functions.

  • The heteronomous segments of the insect body allow for specialized functions.

  • Some insects are heteronomous, with legs and wings that serve different purposes on each segment.

  • The crab's heteronomous limbs allow it to perform a variety of specialized tasks.

  • Many arthropods exhibit heteronomous body plans that enhance their adaptability.

Synonyms

heterotypic
vsheteronomous
  • Specialized
9.9

Not the same type of cell or structure

focuses on differing forms or functions arranged along the body
heterologic
vsheteronomous
  • Specialized
9.9

Parts that are different in form and evolved separately, like butterfly and bird wings

emphasizes variation in form or function along the body rather than origin
heterological
vsheteronomous
  • Specialized
9.9

Not having the same origin or form as something similar, for example a bird wing and a bat wing

restricts sense to body parts differing in form or function along the body

Surface Forms

heteronomous positive

Morphology

heteronomous = heteronomy (semi-transparent) = hetero + nom + ous

The suffix '-ous' forms adjectives, but the specialized biological meaning may not be directly inferred from 'heteronomy'.

Etymology

Heteronomous comes from the parts hetero- meaning 'different' and nomos meaning 'law' or 'rule', a bit like heterogeneous and autonomous. So when an animal has body segments or limbs that follow 'different rules' and do different jobs along its body, those parts are heteronomous.