developmental biology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Academic / Technical
Quick answer
What does “developmental biology” mean?
The branch of biology that studies the processes by which organisms grow and develop from a single cell into a complex multicellular organism, focusing on genetic control, cellular differentiation, morphogenesis, and tissue organization.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The branch of biology that studies the processes by which organisms grow and develop from a single cell into a complex multicellular organism, focusing on genetic control, cellular differentiation, morphogenesis, and tissue organization.
The scientific discipline concerned with understanding the mechanistic basis of how genetic programs and environmental cues interact to direct the formation, growth, and regeneration of tissues and organs throughout an organism's life cycle.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The field name is identical.
Connotations
Universally associated with advanced biological research, often in university or institutional contexts.
Frequency
Equally common in both academic registers.
Grammar
How to Use “developmental biology” in a Sentence
study + developmental biologyresearch + in + developmental biologyprinciples + of + developmental biologyadvances + in + developmental biologydepartment + of + developmental biologyVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “developmental biology” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as a standalone adjective. 'Developmental' is the adjectival component.
American English
- Not applicable as a standalone adjective. 'Developmental' is the adjectival component.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in biotech investment contexts: 'The startup's focus is on applications stemming from developmental biology.'
Academic
Primary context. Used in course titles, research papers, and department names: 'She published her findings in the journal *Developmental Biology*.'
Everyday
Very rare. Might appear in popular science articles or documentaries.
Technical
Standard term in biological sciences, medicine, and related research fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “developmental biology”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “developmental biology”
- Using 'development biology' (missing '-al'), Confusing it solely with 'embryology' (which is a sub-discipline), Capitalising it incorrectly when not a proper noun (e.g., course title).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Embryology is a major sub-discipline of developmental biology focused specifically on the prenatal stages. Developmental biology encompasses the entire lifespan, including regeneration and aging.
Common model organisms include the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster), the nematode (C. elegans), the zebrafish (Danio rerio), the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis), and the mouse (Mus musculus).
It provides fundamental insights into congenital disorders, regenerative medicine (e.g., stem cell therapies), cancer (where developmental pathways are often reactivated), and the origins of tissue-specific diseases.
Evo-Devo, or Evolutionary Developmental Biology, is an interdisciplinary field that compares developmental processes across species to understand how they have evolved and contribute to evolutionary change.
The branch of biology that studies the processes by which organisms grow and develop from a single cell into a complex multicellular organism, focusing on genetic control, cellular differentiation, morphogenesis, and tissue organization.
Developmental biology is usually academic / technical in register.
Developmental biology: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˌvel.əpˈmen.təl baɪˈɒl.ə.dʒi/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˌvel.əpˈmen.t̬əl baɪˈɑː.lə.dʒi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DEVeloping menTAL pictures of how organisms grow' - where 'mental' hints at the underlying plans (genetics), and 'developing' connects to growth.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEVELOPMENT IS A PROGRAMMED JOURNEY (from a blueprint/fertilised egg to a destination/complex organism).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is most closely associated with the core concerns of developmental biology?