noun
- the development or course of development of an individual organism from embryo to maturity
Usage: biology; plural of ontogeny
Examples
- The researchers compared the ontogenies of different bird species.
- Understanding plant ontogenies helps botanists predict growth patterns.
- The study examined how environmental factors affect mammalian ontogenies.
- Comparative ontogenies reveal evolutionary relationships between species.
- The textbook described the ontogenies of various invertebrates.
- Scientists track ontogenies to understand developmental disorders.