Biology

Isometric

Describing scaling where proportions remain constant regardless of size—each dimension changes at the same rate. Contrasts with allometric scaling where proportions change with size.

Biological Context

If organisms scaled isometrically, a scaled-up ant would have the same proportions as a normal ant. But physical constraints prevent this—strength scales with cross-sectional area while weight scales with volume, requiring allometric changes in larger organisms.

Related Terms

Tags

scalingproportionsgeometry