HETEROBLASTIC Meaning and
Definition
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"Heteroblastic" is an adjective that is derived from the combination of two Greek words, "hetero" meaning different or diverse, and "blastos" meaning bud or shoot. This term is primarily used in the field of botany to describe a specific pattern or mode of growth exhibited by certain plants.
In botanical terms, "heteroblastic" refers to the characteristic of a plant species to produce shoots or branches that differ significantly from one another in terms of their form, structure, or function. This phenomenon occurs as a result of differential growth rates, morphological variations, or modifications within various parts of a plant.
One common example of heteroblastic growth can be observed in certain tree species. This growth pattern is quite evident in their juvenile stages, where the leaves and branches differ greatly from the adult form. Juvenile leaves may exhibit distinctive shapes, sizes, colors, or textures compared to the mature leaves. The overall form and structure of juvenile branches and twigs may also differ significantly from the adult branches.
Heteroblastic growth patterns not only contribute to the evolutionary success of certain plant species but also play a crucial role in adapting to their specific ecological niches. By producing diverse shoots and leaves at different stages of growth, plants become better equipped to optimize resource utilization, light interception, and survival in varying environmental conditions.
In conclusion, "heteroblastic" is a term used in botany to describe the diverse or different growth patterns exhibited by various plant species, particularly in terms of their shoots, branches, and foliage at different stages of development.
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Originating from tissue of another kind; distinguished from homoblastic.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HETEROBLASTIC
- geteroblastic
- beteroblastic
- neteroblastic
- jeteroblastic
- ueteroblastic
- yeteroblastic
- hwteroblastic
- hsteroblastic
- hdteroblastic
- hrteroblastic
- h4teroblastic
- h3teroblastic
- hereroblastic
- heferoblastic
- hegeroblastic
- heyeroblastic
- he6eroblastic
- he5eroblastic
- hetwroblastic
- hetsroblastic
Etymology of HETEROBLASTIC
The word "heteroblastic" is derived from two Greek roots: "hetero" meaning "different" or "other", and "blast" meaning "germ" or "shoot". In biology, "blast" specifically refers to an undifferentiated or embryonic cell. When combined, "heteroblastic" refers to the development of different cell types or structures in an organism, especially during embryonic growth or differentiation.
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