Lamarckian

Lamarckian
La·marck·ian lə-'mär-kē-ən adj of or relating to Lamarckism
La·marck lä-'märk Jean-Baptiste-Pierre-Antoine de Monet de (1744-1829)
French botanist and biologist. Lamarck produced voluminous botanical writings and also made substantial contributions to comparative anatomy and the study of invertebrates. In 1801 he introduced his classification of invertebrates, a classification that remains largely accepted. From 1815 to 1822 he published his major work, a multivolume natural history of invertebrates. He is credited with being the first to distinguish invertebrates as a taxonomic group from vertebrates. In 1809 he published a work summarizing his views on zoological philosophy. Here he presented two major „laws”: (1) organs are improved with repeated use and weakened by disuse (2) new characteristics are acquired through interaction with the environment and are passed on to progeny. Although his general idea of evolutionary change was later controverted by Darwin, Lamarck is important because his thesis denied the old notion of the immutability of species, thereby preparing the way for later explanations of the transformation and evolution of plants and animals.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Lamarckian — La*marck i*an, a. Pertaining to, or involved in, the doctrines of Lamarckianism. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lamarckian — 1846, pertaining to French botanist and zoologist J.B.P. Lamarck (1744 1829), especially his view that the process of evolution includes the inheritance of acquired characteristics …   Etymology dictionary

  • Lamarckian — [lə märk′ē ən] adj. of Lamarck or Lamarckism n. an adherent of Lamarckism …   English World dictionary

  • Lamarckian — 1. noun A supporter or an advocate of Lamarckism. Even after Darwin began publishing, Spencer remained a Lamarckian, a disciple of an earlier advocate of evolution who believed organisms could pass on acquired characteristics to their offspring.… …   Wiktionary

  • Lamarckian — I noun a believer in Lamarckism • Hypernyms: ↑follower II adjective of or relating to Lamarckism Lamarckian theories • Pertains to noun: ↑Lamarckism …   Useful english dictionary

  • Lamarckian — adjective see Lamarckism …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Lamarckian — /leuh mahr kee euhn/, adj. 1. of or pertaining to Jean de Lamarck or his theory of organic evolution. n. 2. a person who holds this theory. [1840 50; LAMARCK + IAN] * * * …   Universalium

  • Lamarckian — adj. of or pertaining to the theories developed by the French naturalist Jean de Lamarck …   English contemporary dictionary

  • lamarckian — la·marck·ian …   English syllables

  • Lamarckian — La•marck•i•an [[t]ləˈmɑr ki ən[/t]] adj. 1) bio of or pertaining to Jean de Lamarck or Lamarckism 2) bio an advocate of Lamarckism • Etymology: 1840–50 …   From formal English to slang

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