developmental biology

American  

noun

1. the branch of biology dealing with the processes of growth and change that transform an organism from a fertilized egg or asexual reproductive unit, as a spore or gemmule, to an adult.

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developmental biology Cultural  

1. The study of the processes by which an organism develops from a zygote to its full structure. This field includes the study of cellular differentiation as well as body structure development. (See also embryology.)

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Etymology

Origin of developmental biology

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Nathan Shatz, who earned his molecular, cellular and developmental biology degree from Michigan, is a co-founder of Milieu.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

"The possibility of translating these findings into humans is very exciting," said Seung K. Kim, MD, PhD, the KM Mulberry Professor and a professor of developmental biology, gerontology, endocrinology and metabolism.

From Science Daily • Nov. 26, 2025

Centuries of embryology and morphology laid the groundwork for the discipline of developmental biology.

From Scientific American • Nov. 9, 2023

What are some of the big remaining open questions in the field of developmental biology?

From Scientific American • Nov. 9, 2023

The new research, which draws together a range of evolutionary investigation techniques including fossils, developmental biology, and comparative anatomy, suggests a new way of looking at how major anatomical features like shoulders evolved.

From Science Daily • Nov. 1, 2023