heterogenesis

[ het-er-uh-jen-uh-sis ]

noun

, Biology.

1. Also het·er·og·e·ny [] alternation of generations, especially the alternation of parthenogenetic and sexual generations.
2. abiogenesis.

heterogenesis

/ ˌhɛtərəʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs; ˌhɛtərəʊdʒɪˈnɛtɪk /

noun

1. another name for alternation of generations abiogenesis

Derived Forms

• ˌheterogeˈnetically, adverb
• heterogenetic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterogenesis¹

First recorded in 1850–55; hetero- + -genesis

Example Sentences

No serious observer, acquainted with modern microscopic technical methods, has been able to confirm the explanation of their observations given by the few modern believers in heterogenesis.

From Project Gutenberg

On the basis of such experiments Korschinsky developed the theory which had been proposed by Koelliker in Wuerzburg thirty years earlier, namely, the theory of "heterogeneous production" or "heterogenesis," as Korschinsky calls it.

From Project Gutenberg

From time to time there have been observers who have maintained a belief in the opposite theory, to which the name heterogenesis has been given.

From Project Gutenberg