Q25.1-1CC - Campbell Biology

Question

Explain how new body forms can originate by heterochrony.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The heterochrony led to the origin of new body forms due to diversity in morphological changes. The difference in developmental timing for the occurrence of an event is included in the heterochrony to influence the evolutionary process. The difference in the rate of development of cell line is considered a heterochrony change due to mutation.

Step 1: Morphology

The biological branch, which provides a basic understanding of a living organism's physical form, shape, anatomy, and outward characteristics, is called morphology.

Various forms of morphology are organ, tissue, and cellular morphology. The color, size, and shape are several examples of morphological characteristics which are studied in this field of morphology. The study of internal and external plant structures is an example of morphology.

Step 2: Body form

The term body form is related to an organism's physical structure that comprises cells, tissues, organs, organ system, and limb disposition.

The different features of a living body are evolution, autonomy, survival, energy processing, response to the environment, interaction, and adaptation.

Step 3: Heterochrony

The term heterochrony refers to an evolutionary change in which there will be a difference in timing; descendants undergo more development change than their relative ancestors.

The reason for the evolution of new body forms with the difference in their morphological changes is heterochrony. Hence, significant morphological changes can occur due to slight genetic variations in organisms.