Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
metagenic

metagenic

1 9.9
A life cycle that alternates between two different generations
  • adjective
  • /ˌmɛtəˈdʒɛnɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : metagénico
  • metagenic weapon

Examples

  • The metagenic cycle of some algae includes both haploid and diploid stages.

  • Scientists studied the metagenic development of jellyfish in the laboratory.

  • Certain ferns display a metagenic pattern, alternating between two distinct generations.

  • The metagenic process is crucial for understanding certain life cycles.

  • Many plants exhibit metagenic traits during their reproductive phases.

  • The life cycle of the jellyfish is metagenic, alternating between a polyp and a medusa form.

  • In many organisms, metagenic processes are essential for understanding their reproductive strategies.

  • In some species, the metagenic stage allows for greater adaptation to environmental changes.

Synonyms

heterogenic
vsmetagenic
  • Specialized
9.9

Animals that have life stages that look very different, like caterpillar and butterfly

is specific to an alternating life cycle between distinct forms

Surface Forms

metagenic positive

Morphology

metagenic = genic (opaque) = meta + gen + ic

Although it contains classical elements, the biological meaning is specialized and not easily predictable from the base word 'genic'.

Etymology

Metagenic comes from two parts: meta- meaning 'between' or 'after' and genic meaning 'birth' or 'generation', as in generation. So metagenic describes life cycles that switch between different generations.