Acrotomous

/əˈkrɒtəməs/ adjective

Definition

Describing organisms or tissues that reproduce by fragmentation at the extremities or tips.

Etymology

From Greek 'akron' (tip) plus 'tome' (cutting/division) plus '-ous' (full of). Biological terminology describing a specific mode of asexual reproduction where tips break off to form new organisms.

Kelly Says

Starfish are the poster children for acrotomous reproduction—break off an arm and it grows a whole new starfish body, but here's the wild part: sometimes the severed arm grows a whole new starfish with a tiny body in the middle!

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