Molt
Molt
Molt (pronounced: /moʊlt/), also known as moult in British English, is a biological process that involves the shedding or casting off of parts of an organism's body, specifically its outer layer or skin, feathers, fur, or exoskeleton. This process is common in many species of animals, including birds, reptiles, and insects.
Etymology
The term "molt" is derived from the Middle English word "molten" or "mouten", which means to change, shed, or cast off. This word, in turn, is derived from the Old English "meltan", which means to digest or consume.
Process
During the molt process, the organism sheds its old, worn-out skin, feathers, fur, or exoskeleton to make way for new growth. This process is typically triggered by hormonal changes that are often associated with changes in seasons or stages of the organism's life cycle.
Related Terms
- Ecdysis: This is the scientific term for the process of molting in arthropods, such as insects, crustaceans, and arachnids.
- Exuviae: This term refers to the remains of an exoskeleton or skin that has been molted.
- Metamorphosis: This is a broader biological process that often includes molting as one of its stages. It involves a significant change in the form or structure of an organism, typically as part of its transition from a juvenile to an adult form.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Molt
- Wikipedia's article - Molt
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski