Jean Baptist Lamarck "the boys are back in town" (2 min)


Lamarck and epigenetics:

  • Lamarck was a French biologist who proposed the theory of acquired characteristics, which states that an organism can pass on traits that it acquired during its lifetime to its offspring. 

  • Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression that are not caused by changes in DNA sequence (ie NeoDarwinism). These changes can be inherited, and they can affect how an organism develops and functions.

NeoDarwinism is a theory of evolution that combines Darwin's theory of natural selection with Mendelian genetics. NeoDarwinists believe that evolution is driven by the random mutation of genes unlike epigenetics and that these mutations are passed on to offspring if they provide an advantage in survival or reproduction.

Epigenetics suggest that there are other factors outside of NeoDarwinism that can influence evolution. For example, epigenetic changes can affect which genes are expressed, and this can have a significant impact on an organism's phenotype (observable characteristics). Epigenetics can also be inherited from parents to offspring, which means that it can play a role in the transmission of traits across generations.

Some scientists believe that epigenetics could play a role in explaining the rapid evolution of some species. For example, some studies have shown that epigenetic changes can occur in response to environmental changes, such as exposure to toxins or changes in diet. These changes can be passed on to offspring, and they can help the offspring to better adapt to the environment.

Here are some examples of how epigenetics works without neoDarwinism:

  • A mother's diet during pregnancy can affect the epigenetic state of her offspring, which can in turn affect their health and development.

  • Exposure to toxins or stress can cause epigenetic changes that can lead to diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

  • Epigenetics can play a role in the transmission of traits across generations, even if the genes themselves do not change.

Recent research has shown that epigenetic changes can be caused by environmental factors, such as diet, stress, and exposure to toxins. This suggests that Lamarck's theory of acquired characteristics may be correct, at least to some extent. 

Lamarckian theory and epigenetics overlap and can both contribute to our understanding of how organisms change over time.


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