Heterogenesis

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Heterogenesis \Het`er*o*gen"e*sis\, n. [Hetero- + genesis.]
     1. (Biol.) Spontaneous generation, so called.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Biol.) That method of reproduction in which the
        successive generations differ from each other, the parent


        organism producing offspring different in habit and
        structure from itself, the original form, however,
        reappearing after one or more generations; -- opposed to
        {homogenesis}, or {gamogenesis}.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  heterogenesis
       n : the alternation of two or more different forms in the life
           cycle of a plant or animal [syn: {alternation of
           generations}, {xenogenesis}]