Blastoporal

/ˌblæstəˈpɔːrəl/ adjective

Definition

Relating to the blastopore, which is the opening in an embryo during early development.

Etymology

From blastopore (from Greek 'blastos' + 'poros' meaning pore/opening) + '-al' (suffix meaning 'of or relating to'). Standard zoological term from 19th-century embryology.

Kelly Says

The blastopore is nature's template door—in different animal groups it closes and transforms into different things: your mouth in some animals, your anus in others! It's the same structure, but different animals repurpose it.

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