MONOGENESIS Meaning and
Definition
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Monogenesis is a term that derives from the Greek words "mono" meaning "one" and "genesis" meaning "origin" or "source." It refers to the belief or theory that all living organisms or species have a single common ancestor from which they have descended. In other words, it suggests that all organisms on Earth share a single origin.
In the field of biology, monogenesis stands in contrast to the concept of polygenesis, which proposes that different groups of organisms or species have separate origins or multiple ancestral lineages. Monogenesis supports the idea of universal common descent, suggesting that all life forms can ultimately be traced back to a single simple life form, such as the last universal common ancestor (LUCA).
Monogenesis is a foundational principle in the theory of evolution, in which organisms gradually change and diversify over time through the processes of natural selection and genetic variation. According to this theory, the multitude of species and their different characteristics observed today are the result of a long history of branching out from a common ancestor.
This concept is not limited to biological evolution but can also be applied in cultural, linguistic, or religious contexts. For instance, some scholars argue for monogenesis in the development of human languages, proposing a single ancestral language from which all others have evolved.
Overall, monogenesis encompasses the idea of a unified origin or source, whether it is the biological, cultural, or linguistic aspects of life, and provides a framework to understand the relationships and diversification we observe among different organisms or phenomena.
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1. The production of similar organisms in each generation; see metagenesis. 2. The production of young by a single parent, non-sexual generation, parthenogenesis.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MONOGENESIS
Etymology of MONOGENESIS
The word "monogenesis" comes from the combination of two Greek roots: "mono", which means "single" or "one", and "genesis", which means "birth", "origin", or "creation". When put together, "monogenesis" refers to the idea of something originating from a single source or having a single common ancestor. It is often used in various fields, including biology and religion, to describe the belief in a single origin or the development of a single lineage.
Similar spelling words for MONOGENESIS
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