Allometric
Describing growth or scaling relationships where different parts or properties change at different rates relative to body size. Contrasts with isometric (proportional) scaling.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 3 chapters:
"...rate scales with body mass to the 0.75 power rather than linearly West, G.B., Brown, J.H., & Enquist, B.J. (1997). A general model for the origin of allometric scaling laws in biology. Science, 276(5309), 122-126. - Theoretical framework explaining Kleiber's Law through fractal network theory of resource d..."
"When b equals one, the relationship is isometric - double the size, double the property. When b differs from one, it's allometric - double the size, and the property changes by 2^b. Most biological and organizational properties scale allometrically."
"(1963). Morphometry of the Human Lung. Springer-Verlag. 5. West, G.B., Brown, J.H., & Enquist, B.J. (1997). "A General Model for the Origin of Allometric Scaling Laws in Biology." Science, 276(5309), 122-126. 6. West, G.B., Brown, J.H., & Enquist, B.J. (1999)."
Biological Context
Brain size scales allometrically with body size—larger animals have proportionally smaller brains. Leg bones become proportionally thicker in larger animals to support greater weight. Allometric relationships reflect the physical constraints that change with scale.