xenogenesis

1 9.9

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

noun
/ˌzɛnəˈdʒɛnɪs/

Specialized

: xenogénesis

Examples

Xenogenesis.

Village of the Damned (1995)
The phenomenon of xenogenesis is evident in certain insects, where different forms emerge during their life cycle.
The study of xenogenesis helps scientists understand how some plants and animals adapt over time.
In xenogenesis, the life cycle of an organism includes distinct phases that differ significantly from one another.

Synonyms

heterogenesis

vsxenogenesis

Specialized

9.9

A life cycle with stages that reproduce sexually and stages that reproduce without sex

describes alternation of forms without stressing reproduction mode

alternation of generations

vsxenogenesis

Specialized

8.4

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

refers to alternation broadly not only sexual versus asexual

metagenesis

vsxenogenesis

Specialized

9.9

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

covers alternation more generally beyond sexual and asexual cycles

pleomorphism

vsxenogenesis

Specialized

9.9

A living thing that takes two or more different forms during its life

focuses on alternation between forms rather than mere occurrence

Surface Forms

xenogenesis singular

xenogeneses plural

Morphology

xenogenesis = genesis (semi-transparent) = xeno + genesis

Formally built from the combining form 'xeno-' (strange/foreign) + 'genesis' (origin), but 'xeno-' is a specialized combining form not a standalone common word and the biological sense is technical.

Etymology

The word xenogenesis comes from the Greek parts xeno- meaning 'strange' or 'foreign' and -genesis meaning 'birth' or 'origin', the same idea behind the common word generate. So xenogenesis literally means a 'strange birth' and is a good way to remember it describes plants or animals that change into very different forms during their life cycle.