Zooid: meaning, definitions and examples
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zooid
[ ΛzuΛΙΙͺd ]
biological term
A zooid is an individual animal that is part of a colony of animals. This term is often used in the context of colonial organisms, such as corals or hydroids, where multiple zooids work together for survival.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Each zooid functions in harmony within the colony.
- The colony consists of numerous interconnected zooids.
- Zooids take on specific roles to support the entire structure.
- In corals, zooids can also contribute to the growth of the reef.
Etymology
The term 'zooid' is derived from the Greek word 'zΕΓon', which means 'animal' or 'living being'. This prefix is often seen in various biological terms that relate to animal life. The use of 'zooid' emerged in the 19th century as biologists began to classify and study colonial organisms more rigorously. The idea of zooids plays a crucial role in understanding how complex structures in marine biology function, shedding light on the interactions between individual organisms and their ecological environments. The prefix 'zoo-' is commonly associated with animals in general, linking back to the study of zoology, while the suffix '-oid' implies a form or likeness, reinforcing the relationship between the individual zooid and the collective organism it forms part of.