Lamarckism
- Pronunciation
- /luh-MARK-iz-um/
- Category
- Theory
- Singular
- Lamarckism
- Plural
- Lamarckisms
Definition
A theory of biological evolution that proposes that organisms can pass on traits acquired during their lifetime to their offspring.
Etymology
Named after the French naturalist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, who proposed the theory in the early 19th century.
Example
Lamarckism suggested that a giraffe's long neck evolved because ancestors had to stretch their necks higher to reach food.
Synonyms
- Inheritance of acquired characteristics
Related Terms
- Evolution
- Darwinism
- Natural selection
Usage Notes
Lamarckism is largely discredited in modern evolutionary biology but remains an important historical concept in the study of evolutionary theories.