metamerism

American  

[muh-tam-uh-riz-uhm] / məˈtæm əˌrɪz əm /

noun

1. Zoology.

   1. division into metameres, the developmental process of somite formation.

   2. existence in a metameric state.

2. Chemistry. isomerism resulting from the attachment of different groups to the same atom, as C 2 H 5 NHC 2 H 5 and CH 3 NHC 3 H 7 .

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metamerism British  

/ mɪˈtæməˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. Also called: metameric segmentation.   segmentation.  the division of an animal into similar segments (metameres). In many vertebrates it is confined to the embryonic nervous and muscular systems

2. chem a type of isomerism in which molecular structures differ by the attachment of different groups to the same atom, as in CH 3 OC 3 H 7 and C 2 H 5 OC 2 H 5

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Etymology

Origin of metamerism

1840–50; metamerism ( in def. 1 ) metamere + -ism; metamerism ( in def. 2 ) meta- + (iso)merism

Example Sentences

This metamerism is thought to arise from identical teloblast cells in the embryonic stage, which give rise to identical mesodermal structures.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Segmentation is seen in internal anatomy as well, which is called metamerism.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

This type of body plan is called metamerism.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

Segmentation is both external and internal, which is called metamerism.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

The setae are implanted metamerically in accordance with the metamerism of the body, which consists of a prostomium followed by a number of segments.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 7 "Cerargyrite" to "Charing Cross" by Various