HEMIMETABOLIC Meaning and
Definition
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Hemimetabolic is an adjective used in biology to describe a type of incomplete or partial metamorphosis exhibited by certain insects. In hemimetabolous insects, the life cycle involves three distinct stages: the egg, the nymph, and the adult. This process is in contrast to holometabolous insects, which undergo complete metamorphosis with distinct larval, pupal, and adult stages.
During the hemimetabolic life cycle, the insect hatches from an egg into a nymph. The nymph resembles a miniature version of the adult but lacks wings and reproductive structures. As the nymph grows, it undergoes a series of molts, shedding its old exoskeleton and replacing it with a larger one. With each molt, the nymph becomes increasingly similar in appearance to the adult insect.
Eventually, after several molts, the nymph reaches its final stage of development, known as the adult stage. At this point, it has fully functional wings and reproductive organs. The adult insect can now reproduce and continues its life cycle by laying eggs.
Hemimetabolic insects include various groups such as grasshoppers, dragonflies, and true bugs. This type of metamorphosis is considered to be less complex than complete metamorphosis, as the transition from nymph to adult does not involve a complete reorganization of the body structure. Nevertheless, hemimetabolous insects play vital ecological roles and contribute significantly to the biodiversity of our planet.
Common Misspellings for HEMIMETABOLIC
- gemimetabolic
- bemimetabolic
- nemimetabolic
- jemimetabolic
- uemimetabolic
- yemimetabolic
- hwmimetabolic
- hsmimetabolic
- hdmimetabolic
- hrmimetabolic
- h4mimetabolic
- h3mimetabolic
- henimetabolic
- hekimetabolic
- hejimetabolic
- hemumetabolic
- hemjmetabolic
- hemkmetabolic
- hemometabolic
Etymology of HEMIMETABOLIC
The word "hemimetabolic" is derived from two roots: "hemi-" and "metabolic".
1. "Hemi-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "hémi", meaning "half" or "part". It is often used in scientific terminology to indicate something that is incomplete or in a partial state.
2. "Metabolic" is derived from the Greek word "metabole", meaning "change" or "transformation". It refers to the chemical processes that occur within a living organism to sustain life, such as digestion, respiration, and energy production.
When combined, these two roots in "hemimetabolic" form a term used in biology, particularly in entomology, to describe a type of incomplete metamorphosis observed in insects. In hemimetabolous insects, such as grasshoppers and cockroaches, the development involves three distinct stages: egg, nymph, and adult.
Similar spelling words for HEMIMETABOLIC
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