Hermaphrodite
Hermaphrodite
Hermaphrodite (pronunciation: /hɜːrˈmæfrədaɪt/) is a term used in the field of biology to describe an organism that possesses both male and female reproductive organs. The term is derived from the ancient Greek words 'Hermes' and 'Aphrodite', who were male and female deities respectively.
Etymology
The term 'Hermaphrodite' is derived from the names of the ancient Greek gods Hermes and Aphrodite. Hermes was a male deity, the messenger of the gods, while Aphrodite was a female deity, the goddess of love and beauty. The combination of these names signifies the presence of both male and female characteristics in a single organism.
Definition
In biology, a hermaphrodite is an organism that has complete or partial reproductive organs and produces gametes normally associated with both male and female sexes. Many taxonomic groups of animals (mostly invertebrates) do not have separate sexes and are hermaphrodites. In these groups, hermaphroditism is a normal condition, enabling a form of sexual reproduction in which both partners can act as the "female" or "male".
Related Terms
- Sequential hermaphroditism: A type of hermaphroditism that occurs when the individual changes sex at some point in its life.
- Protandry: The condition where an organism starts life as a male and changes to female.
- Protogyny: The condition where an organism starts life as a female and changes to male.
- Intersex: A variation in sex characteristics including chromosomes, gonads, or genitals that do not allow an individual to be distinctly identified as male or female.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hermaphrodite
- Wikipedia's article - Hermaphrodite
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