What is the meaning of Ontogeny? Concept and Definition of Ontogeny

Definition of ontogeny

Ontogenia: Definición, Concepto, Significado, Qué es Ontogenia

1. Concept of ontogeny

At the behest of the developmental biology, is designated as ontogeny to the formation and development of the person, especially in the embryonic stage.
Thanks to the ontogeny, then, it is that we can know in depth is the development of an organism, i.e. from the moment in which the egg is fertilized by the sperm, passing through its adult stage and to the aging of the same.
Notably, this development has two important functions, on the one hand, the generation of cell diversity, organizing different types of cells in the tissues and organs, and on the other hand ensuring the continuation of life from generation to generation.
Ontogeny, also called ontogenesis or Morphogenesis is divided in different stages such as: fertilization (fertilization occurs the union of two gametes with the appropriate formation of the egg or Zygote, worth mentioning that the gametes may be same or different), activation (at this stage a series of events will take place in the Zygote formed and which are which will eventually cause it to begin to segment by mitosis) and embryogenesis (so is) (called to the set of processes covering the time from which the Zygote begins to shatter and until it actually occurs organogenesis).
In embryogenesis there will be several phases which we will list below: segmentation (in this the Zygote is divided into many smaller cells, known as blastomeres), blastulacion (the blastula formation takes place: the Agency already has more than 64 cells, being its appearance similar to that of a spherical body), Gastrulation (since the State of blastula, at this stage the germ leaves take place: ectoderm and endoderm; the first produces the cells of the epidermis and nervous system and the second produces the cells that cover the digestive tract as well as the associated organs; and the mesoderm, the third sheet forming in the metazoans, favors the formation of organs such as the heart, kidneys, among others, supporting and connective tissues and blood cells) and organogenesis (involves the interaction and movements that lead to the formation of organs).


2. Meaning of ontogeny

It comes from the Greek on, ontos, being and genes, origin; It refers to the biological process of formation and development of all living being, since the fertilized egg is formed until the individual reaches his maturity.
Through ontogeny is accomplished by understanding the development of the organism and the history of the structural change of a unit while retaining your organization. Such changes are usually triggered both as result of a dynamic internal as well as to result of the interaction with the environment where.
The main functions of animal development and ontogeny are the generate cell diversity from the Zygote, organizing the various cell types in organs and tissues; and the reproduction, ensuring in this way, the continuity of the species.
Scientists can learn and study the evolutionary history of organisms from the ontogeny. It is common to find ancestral characters preserved in the development of the organism.
A good example is the embryos of the human being with the chicks. During its development, both pass through a stage in which its fissures and arches in the neck are identical to the Gill arches and clefts faringeas fish. It follows the idea of that man and the chickens, share a past in common with fish.
Some specialists in the field said at the end of the 19th century that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny to. This phrase is alluding to the developing organism will go through each of the adult stages of its evolutionary history.
On the other hand, these scientists thought that the way to evolve was adding new stages at the end of the development of organisms. Today, it is known that this idea is extreme because you can't accurately define the various stages of development, but assume them, or predict them.


3. What is ontogeny

The concept of ontogeny has a special use within the field of biology, since through it refers both the formation and the development of both human and animal organisms, especially regarding concerns the embryonic stage of the individual. It should be noted that the concept can also appear appointed ontogenesis or morphogenesis.
Basically, ontogenesis comprises the development of the organisms from the moment in which the egg is fertilized.
Then, ontogeny allows us to know for certain modifications that are suffering from the organism in question. Once after the fertilization of the egg occurs the Zygote or egg, the cells that make up this diversify and organs and tissues will be organized. During this process there will be different interrelations that also depend on the dynamic that possess the organism in evolution.
Meanwhile, in the mentioned development stages can be identified. The initial is fertilization, which is the one in which the gametes, male and female, merge and form the Zygote. A natural procedure of activation allows that the Zygote is activated and so is known as mitosis and cell division, start their segmentation.
The next phase is identified as embryogenesis begins precisely with the aforementioned segmentation and culminating in what is known as organogenesis, which is the time in which the organs conform.
Noteworthy is that within it we find different phases: segmentation (in this the Zygote divides into several cells called blastomeres), blastulacion (in this is made of the blastula characterized by spherical presentation), Gastrulation (consists of a process genetic morph which leads to the formation of the germ leaves) and organogenesis (which is which marks the end of the same and the corresponding creation of organs indicated above).
Embryogenesis is completed with the formation of the embryo, but not here culminates the ontogeny of being they will continue with the fetus, larva, pulp, juvenile and adult stages.