Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

epigenesis

noun

/ˌɛpɪˈdʒɛnɪsɪs/

Definition

The process by which organisms develop from non-living matter through a series of stages; it also refers to the theory that organisms develop from a series of progressively formed characteristics.

Examples

During epigenesis, the initial fertilized egg divides and differentiates into various cell types.
The epigenesis theory contrasts with the preformation theory, which suggests that organisms develop from miniature versions of themselves.
Research on epigenesis has important implications in studying genetic expression and developmental biology.

Meaning

Epigenesis is a biological concept that explains how organisms grow and develop from a simpler form into a more complex one, emphasizing the role of various influences along the way.