acquired characters

characteristics of an organism which, according to Lamarck (see LAMARCKISM become well developed through use or through environmental influences during an organism's lifetime, and which are inherited by its progeny. However, no clear experimental evidence has yet been found to support the theory. Current opinion is that the environment does play a large part in evolution, though only through NATURAL SELECTION.

Collins Dictionary of Biology, 3rd ed. © W. G. Hale, V. A. Saunders, J. P. Margham 2005

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References in periodicals archive

* The lesson plan of Stern and Ben-Akiva may leave the reader with the impression that all acquired characters are never transmitted to offspring.

* If the inheritance of acquired characters is considered by most biologists to be a relatively rare exception to the general rule that acquired characters are not heritable, what can be learned by devoting class time to such "exceptions"?

These acquired characters reappear in most of their sons, grandsons, and greatgrandsons (Ruvinsky, 2006).

Acquired traits revisited

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