Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

ontogeny

noun

/ɒnˈtɒdʒəni/

Definition

The development of an individual organism from the earliest stage to maturity.

Examples

Ontogeny encompasses all the changes that occur as an organism grows and matures.
Researchers study ontogeny to understand how developmental processes affect evolution.
In biology, ontogeny is often contrasted with phylogeny, which examines the evolutionary history of species.

Meaning

Ontogeny refers to the biological process by which a single organism develops over its lifetime, from a fertilized egg through various stages to its final adult form.