What is the process called when a lobster grows a claw to replace one that was lost?

The process by which a lobster grows a claw to replace one that was lost is known as regeneration. Regeneration refers to the biological ability of organisms to regrow certain parts of their bodies. This is a remarkable capability found in various species, including certain types of amphibians, starfish, and crustaceans like lobsters. When a lobster loses a claw, it can eventually regenerate a new one, restoring its functionality.

This phenomenon is not the same as reproduction, which involves the creation of new individuals, or metamorphosis, which refers to the transformation process some organisms undergo during development, such as the change from larva to adult. Adaptation, on the other hand, generally describes long-term evolutionary changes that occur over generations, allowing a species to better survive in its environment. Regeneration is a specific and immediate physiological response to injury, making it distinctly different from these other processes.