HERMAPHRODITISM Meaning and
Definition
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Hermaphroditism is a biological condition where an organism possesses both male and female reproductive organs or characteristics. The term is derived from Greek mythology, specifically from the name "Hermaphroditus," the offspring of Hermes and Aphrodite, who was said to possess both male and female qualities.
In biology, hermaphroditism can refer to different patterns of sexual development. Sequential hermaphroditism is observed in organisms that change their sex during their lifetime. This can occur in two forms: protandry, where the individual begins reproductive life as a male and later develops female traits, or protogyny, where the individual starts as a female and later develops male traits.
Simultaneous hermaphroditism describes organisms that possess both male and female reproductive organs at the same time. They are capable of producing both eggs and sperm, and in some cases, may self-fertilize or engage in reciprocal fertilization with other hermaphroditic individuals.
Hermaphroditism is found across a wide range of organisms, including plants, invertebrates, and some vertebrates. This sexual flexibility allows for a higher degree of reproductive success, as it can facilitate mating opportunities and improve genetic diversity.
It is important to note that hermaphroditism should not be confused with intersex, which refers to human individuals born with atypical combinations of male and female biological traits. The term hermaphroditism is primarily used in the context of non-human organisms.
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The condition of being an hermaphrodite; the seeming occurrence of both male and female generative organs in the same individual.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HERMAPHRODITISM
- germaphroditism
- bermaphroditism
- nermaphroditism
- jermaphroditism
- uermaphroditism
- yermaphroditism
- hwrmaphroditism
- hsrmaphroditism
- hdrmaphroditism
- hrrmaphroditism
- h4rmaphroditism
- h3rmaphroditism
- heemaphroditism
- hedmaphroditism
- hefmaphroditism
- hetmaphroditism
- he5maphroditism
- he4maphroditism
- hernaphroditism
Etymology of HERMAPHRODITISM
The term "hermaphroditism" is derived from Greek mythology. It comes from the combination of two Greek words, "Hermes" and "Aphrodite".
In Greek mythology, Hermes was the messenger of the gods and Aphrodite was the goddess of love and beauty. According to the myth, the son of Hermes and Aphrodite, named Hermaphroditus, merged with a nymph called Salmacis. As a result of their merging, Hermaphroditus possessed both male and female characteristics.
The term "hermaphroditism" was later adopted in biology to describe the condition in which an individual has both male and female reproductive organs or exhibits characteristics of both sexes.
Similar spelling words for HERMAPHRODITISM
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