How Do You Spell NEOTONY?

Pronunciation: [nˈiːə͡ʊtənɪ] (IPA)

Neotony is a term used in biology to describe the retention of juvenile characteristics into adulthood. Its spelling can be explained by using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) phonetic transcription. The first syllable is pronounced as "nee-oh," with the stressed vowel sound being the "ee." The second syllable is pronounced as "tony," with the "o" being pronounced like the "ah" sound in "father." Neotony is an important concept in the study of evolutionary biology and reproduction.

NEOTONY Meaning and Definition

1. Neotony is a term primarily used in biology to describe the retention of juvenile or childlike features into adulthood. It refers to the delay or slowing down of the development or maturation process, resulting in adult organisms retaining physical or behavioral characteristics that are typically associated with younger stages of development.

   In the context of evolutionary biology, neotony can be seen as an example of heterochrony, a change in the timing of developmental events during evolution. This phenomenon can occur in various species, including humans, where certain traits, such as facial features, skeletal structure, or the ability to learn, are retained beyond the usual stage of development.

   Neotony has been linked to evolutionary advantages by providing individuals with increased flexibility, adaptability, and extended periods for learning and growth. It can contribute to increased plasticity, allowing organisms to respond to various environmental conditions and exhibit more complex behaviors.

   In a broader cultural sense, neotony has also been applied to describe human social and psychological traits. It is sometimes used to explain traits such as curiosity, playfulness, and a youthful mindset that some individuals retain into adulthood.

   Overall, neotony refers to the retention of juvenile features or characteristics into adulthood, occurring across various biological organisms and sometimes influencing behavior and development.

Common Misspellings for NEOTONY

• beotony
• meotony
• jeotony
• heotony
• nwotony
• nsotony
• ndotony
• nrotony
• n4otony
• n3otony
• neitony
• nektony
• neltony
• neptony
• ne0tony
• ne9tony
• neorony
• neofony
• neogony
• neoyony

Etymology of NEOTONY

The word "neotony" has its roots in the Greek language. It comes from combining two Greek words: "neos" meaning "new" or "young", and "tonos" meaning "tension" or "tone". Together, they form "neotony", which describes the retention of juvenile or immature characteristics into adulthood. The term is often used in biology and evolutionary biology to describe features or traits present in an adult organism that are typically associated with juveniles or the young of its species.