Evolution Definition, Prefix, Suffix, Ologies and Isms, Evolution Information and Meaning

See also BIOLOGY; CHANGE; GROWTH; IMPROVEMENT.

Darwinism

the theory of evolution by natural selection of those species best adapted to survive the struggle for existence. —Darwinian, n., ad).

evolutionism

a principle or theory of evolution. —evolutionist, n., adj.

Lamarckism

the theory of organic evolution advanced by the French naturalist Lamarck that characteristics acquired by habit, diseases, or adaptations to change in environment may be inherited. —Lamarckian, n., adj.

Neo-Darwinism

the theory that maintains natural selection to be the major factor in plant and animal evolution and denies the possibility of inheriting acquired characteristics. —Neo-Darwinist, n., adj. —Neo-Darwinian, n., adj.

Neo-Lamarckism

a modern theory based on Lamarckism that states that acquired characteristics are inherited. —Neo-Lamarckian, n., adj.

orthogenesis

progressive evolution, leading to the development of a new form, as can be seen through successive generations. See also SOCIETY. —orthogenetic, adj.

pangenesis

the theory advanced by Darwin, now rejected, that each part of the body is represented in each cell by gemmules, which are the basic units of hereditary transmission. —pangenetic, adj.

phylogeny

the history of the development of a plant, animal, or racial type. —phylogenist, n. —phylogenetic, adj.

primordialism

a devotion to the conditions which existed at the beginning of creation.

transformism

the ability of one species to change into another. —transformist, n.

tychism

1. the theory that chance is involved in evolution and that variation within a species is accidental.

2. the belief that chance rather than mere determinism operates in the cosmos. Cf. uniformitarianism.

uniformitarianism

1. Philosophy. a doctrine that the universe is governed only by rigid, unexceptionable law.

2. Geology. the concept that current geological processes explain all past geological occurrences. —uniformitarian, n., adj.