Definition

A basic principle or foundation that supports future growth or development, often used in biology to refer to the early stage of cell development.

Example

The anlage of the heart forms early in embryonic development.

Conversation

I was reading about genetic traits and found out about the concept of anlage.

Oh really? What does it mean exactly?

It refers to a kind of foundation for future development in organisms.

That’s fascinating! It’s amazing how much our genetics influence us.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'anlage' comes from German, meaning a foundation or an initial stage of development. It is often used in contexts such as biology to refer to the initial formation of an organ or structure.

Memory Tip

Think of 'anlage' as the 'foundation' or 'beginning' of something, like the first step in developing a new idea or structure.

Visually Confused Words