Alloiometric

/ˌæloɪoʊmɛˈtrɪk/ adjective

Definition

Relating to changes in proportion or measurement within an organism as it grows, especially when different body parts grow at different rates.

Etymology

From Greek 'allo-' (other) + 'iio-' (variant) + 'metric' (measuring); developed in biology to describe non-isometric growth patterns.

Kelly Says

Human babies have disproportionately large heads compared to their bodies, but as you grow, your head grows slower than the rest of you—that's alloiometric growth, and it happens in almost every animal!

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