Gonochorism

/ɡoʊˈnɒkərɪzəm/ noun

Definition

The biological condition of having distinct male and female sexes, where individuals are either one sex or the other (not both).

Etymology

From Greek 'gono-' (reproductive) and 'chorizo' (to separate), literally meaning 'separated reproduction.' Used since the 1800s in evolutionary biology.

Kelly Says

Most animals are gonochoristic (separate sexes), but some fish and snails break the rules with hermaphroditism—nature keeps reminding us that our categories are just convenient labels.

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