Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
cephalization
noun
/ˌsɛfəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/
Definition
Cephalization is the evolutionary trend in which the nervous system and sensory organs become concentrated at the anterior end (head) of an organism.
Examples
- Cephalization is a key concept in understanding the evolution of more complex animals.
- The degree of cephalization often correlates with an organism’s ability to process sensory information and respond to its environment.
- In many species, cephalization is associated with greater mobility and more complex behaviors.
Meaning
The process by which a complex brain and sensory organs develop in the front region of an organism’s body, leading to a distinct head structure.
Synonyms
- Head formation
- Nervous system centralization
- Cognitive development
