- What are growth and development ? ... Abstract : Among the series of small textbooks sponsored by the Institute of Biology, No. 24 has already dealt with Growth and Development. This, No. 116, describes factors which influence these processes. Growth can be measured in quantitative terms, but development is taken to mean qualitative changes. Both features can be influenced enormously by food and water, temperature, microorganisms, antibiotics, parasites, light, stress, atmospheric pressure, gravity and many other factors. The endocrine glands, obviously, profoundly affect growth and development, as does heredity. This little booklet is interesting and veterinary surgeons would benefit from reading it.