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Neo-lamarckism for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: ,nioʊ_lə'mɑrkɪzəm

What does Neo-lamarckism really mean?

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Hey there! So, you're wondering what the word "Neo-Lamarckism" means, right? Well, let's break it down in a way that is easy to understand.

First things first, have you ever heard of Charles Darwin? He was a famous scientist who came up with the idea of "evolution," which is basically the process of how living things change and adapt over time. Now, one of Darwin's contemporary scientists was Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. He had his own idea about how evolution works, called "Lamarckism."

Lamarckism is the belief that traits or characteristics acquired during an individual's lifetime can be passed on to their offspring. For example, let's say you're really good at playing the piano and you practice every day. According to Lamarckism, if you have kids in the future, they might be born with a natural talent for playing the piano too, just because you worked hard and developed that skill. It's kind of like saying that the changes you make in your own body can somehow be inherited by your children.

But here's where "Neo-Lamarckism" comes in. The prefix "neo-" means "new" or "updated," so Neo-Lamarckism is basically a newer version, or a revised version, of Lamarck's original ideas. Neo-Lamarckism takes into account new scientific discoveries and tries to combine Lamarck's theories with modern knowledge of genetics and how traits are actually passed down through DNA.

In simple terms, Neo-Lamarckism suggests that not only can individual characteristics acquired during one's lifetime be passed on to their offspring, but it also considers the role of genetics in this process. So, instead of just focusing on what happens within an individual's lifetime, Neo-Lamarckism looks at how the changes in an individual's DNA can affect future generations.

Think of it this way: Lamarckism is like saying that if a parent loses their arm in an accident, their child will be born without an arm. But Neo-Lamarckism takes it a step further by saying that if a parent's DNA has some changes after losing their arm, their child might be more likely to be born without an arm due to those genetic changes.

I hope that helps you understand what "Neo-Lamarckism" means! Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions.

Revised and Fact checked by Robert Taylor on 2023-10-29 11:23:25

Neo-lamarckism In a sentece

Learn how to use Neo-lamarckism inside a sentece

  • Neo-lamarckism suggests that giraffes developed long necks over time because their ancestors, who had shorter necks, stretched their necks to reach high leaves, and this longer neck trait was passed on to future generations.
  • According to Neo-lamarckism, an individual who regularly lifts heavy weights may develop stronger muscles, and this acquired strength could potentially be passed on genetically to their children.
  • In Neo-lamarckism, it is believed that if someone frequently exposes themselves to high altitudes, their body may adapt by producing more red blood cells to carry oxygen efficiently, and this adaptation could potentially be inherited by their offspring.
  • Neo-lamarckism suggests that if a person frequently uses their brain to solve puzzles and challenges, their mental abilities may improve, and these enhanced mental capabilities might be passed down to their future generations.
  • According to Neo-lamarckism, if someone regularly exposes their skin to sunlight, their body might produce more melanin to protect against harmful UV rays, and this increased melanin production could be inherited by their descendants.

Neo-lamarckism Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.