growth variant

Variations in the processes that regulate the change (increase) in size or mass of an integrated living unit (a cell, tissue, organ or organism) compared to control animals.

embryonic growth variant

Variations in the processes that regulate the change (increase) in size or mass of an integrated living unit (a cell, tissue, organ or organism) during the embryonic stage compared to control animals.

developmental growth variant

Variations in the processes that regulate the change (increase) in size or mass of an integrated living unit (a cell, tissue, organ or organism) during any development stages compared to control animals.

adult growth variant

Variations in the processes that regulate the change (increase) in size or mass of an integrated living unit (a cell, tissue, organ or organism) during the adult stage compared to control animals.

larval growth variant

Variations in the processes that regulate the change (increase) in size or mass of an integrated living unit (a cell, tissue, organ or organism) during the larval stages compared to control animals.

growth rate variant

The increase in size or mass of an organism over time during the lifespan of the organism or over any developmental stage(s) is not similar to that observed for control animals.

precocious cell fusion

Two or more individual cells form a syncytium (a mass of cytoplasm containing several nuclei enclosed within a single plasma membrane) via the fusion of the plasma membranes at an earlier stage of development compared to comparable cells in control animals.

proximal germ cell proliferation variant

Any variation in the spatial pattern of proliferation and differentiation in the germ line compared to control. In C. elegans, this refers to an ectopic mass of proliferating germ cells that occupies the proximal adult germ line, a region normally occupied by gametes.

cell fusion variant

Variations in the ability of two or more individual cells to form a syncytium (a mass of cytoplasm containing several nuclei enclosed within a single plasma membrane) via the fusion of the plasma membranes. Cell fusion is dependent on the merging of lipid bilayer membranes as well as cytoplasmic mixing.

centriole biogenesis variant

Any variation in the formation or disassembly of the cylindrical structures that are composed of groupings of microtubules found close to the nucleus (centrioles) compared to control. Centrioles are arranged perpendicularly and are surrounded by an amorphous mass of dense material (the pericentriolar material). The centrioles and the pericentriolar material constitute the compound structure known as the centrosome.