Principle of allometry

1. Many phenomena of metabolism, biochemistry, morphogenesis, and evolution are governed by the allometric equation in which one characteristic (e.g. length or weight of an organ) can be expressed as a power function of another characteristic (e.g. the length or weight of another organ or of the organism as a whole). In effect this states that, for example, the relative growth rates of the parts under consideration stand in constant proportion throughout the life of the organism, or during the life cycle for which the allometric equation holds.

2. Sociological phenomena can also be conceived as phenomena of relative growth to which allometry applies as a rather general principle, the basis of which is essentially a process of distribution.