Polyembryony is a term used in biology to describe the process of multiple embryos developing from a single fertilized egg. The word is spelled as pɑljɛmˈbrɪəni, with the stress on the second syllable. The phonetic transcription shows that the first syllable is pronounced with the vowels "a" and "o" together, while the second syllable is pronounced with the vowel "e" followed by a consonant cluster "mbr," and the third syllable pronounced with the vowel "i" followed by a silent "e". Polyembryony is a fascinating concept that occurs in several types of organisms, including insects and plants.
Polyembryony is a biological phenomenon that refers to the development of multiple embryos from a single fertilized egg or from separate eggs within the same organism. This process can occur in various plant and animal species, providing a means for producing multiple offspring with identical genetics.
In plants, polyembryony often occurs when multiple embryos develop from the same zygote, resulting in genetically identical offspring. This phenomenon can be observed in certain angiosperms and gymnosperms, where a single fertilized egg gives rise to numerous embryos that eventually develop into seedlings. Polyembryony is advantageous for plants as it ensures a higher chance of survival, as well as greater genetic diversity within a population.
In some animal species, polyembryony occurs when separate eggs are fertilized and develop into multiple embryos within a single organism. This can be observed in certain insects, such as parasitic wasps, where multiple embryos can develop from separate eggs within the same host. Polyembryony in animals can offer advantages in terms of increasing reproductive output and enhancing offspring survival rates.
Overall, polyembryony is a fascinating reproductive strategy seen in both plants and animals, enabling the production of multiple genetically identical or similar offspring. This phenomenon contributes to genetic diversity, survival rates, and overall reproductive success within species that exhibit polyembryony.
In botany, the production of two or more embryos in one ovule.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
In bot., the existence or development of two or more embryos in the same seed.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "Polyembryony" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "poly" meaning "many" and "embryon" meaning "embryo". The suffix "-y" is added to indicate a state or condition.