lamarckian
/ləˈmɑrkiən/
adjective
- Relating to the theory of evolution proposed by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, which suggests that organisms can pass on traits acquired during their lifetime to their offspring.
- The Lamarckian concept of inheritance of acquired characteristics has been largely discredited in mainstream science.
- The Lamarckian idea that giraffes developed long necks by stretching them is not supported by modern genetics.
- Some early biologists believed in a Lamarckian mechanism for evolution, but it was later replaced by Darwinian natural selection.
Antonyms