The supposed recurrence of the evolutionary stages of a species during the embryonic development and differentiation of a member of that species. Also called recapitulation.
bi·o·syn·the·sis (bī'ō-sĭn'thĭ-sĭs) n. Formation of a chemical compound by a living organism. Also called biogenesis. bi'o·syn·thet'ic (-thět'ĭk) adj., bi'o·syn·thet'i·cal·ly adv.
1870, "the theory that living organisms can only arise from pre-existing living matter," coined by Eng. biologist T.H. Huxley (1825-95) from Gk. bios "life" (see bio-) + genesis (q.v.).
Main Entry: bio·gen·e·sis Pronunciation: -'jen-&-s&s Function: noun Inflected Form: pluralbio·gen·e·ses/-"sEz/ 1: the development of life from preexisting life —compare ABIOGENESIS 2: a supposed tendency for stages in the evolutionary history of a race to briefly recurduring the development and differentiation of an individual of that race 3: the synthesis of chemical compounds or structures in the living organism —compare BIOSYNTHESIS —bio·ge·net·ic/-j&-'net-ik/adjective