Weismannism

American  

[vahys-mahn-iz-uhm] / ˈvaɪs mɑnˌɪz əm /

noun

Biology.

1. the theories of heredity as expounded by Weismann, especially the theory that all inheritable characteristics are carried in the germ plasm, and that acquired characteristics cannot be inherited.

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Weismannism British  

/ ˈvaɪsmənˌɪzəm /

noun

1. the doctrine of the continuity of the germ plasm. This theory of heredity states that all inheritable characteristics are transmitted by the reproductive cells and that characteristics acquired during the lifetime of the organism are not inherited

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Other Word Forms

• Weismannian
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of Weismannism

First recorded in 1890–95; Weismann + -ism

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Weismannism

Weismannism has held the field since 1890 and still dominates the thinking of most biologists.

From Time Magazine Archive

For it is the essence of Mendelism as of Weismannism that not only sex but all other congenital characters are determined in the fertilised ovum or zygote.

From Hormones and Heredity by Cunningham, J. T.

It is a polemic against Weismannism in all details, even to the theory of “germinal selection.”

From Naturalism And Religion by Otto, Rudolf

It is for these reasons that any attempt at dealing with Weismann's fundamental postulate—i.e. that of the non-inheritance of acquired characters—was excluded from my Examination of Weismannism.

From Darwin, and After Darwin, Volume 2 Post-Darwinian Questions: Heredity and Utility by Romanes, George John

Now, as just explained, the parts of this system which may be properly and distinctively called "Weismannism" are those which go to form the Y-like structure of deductions from the fundamental postulate.

From Darwin, and After Darwin, Volume 2 Post-Darwinian Questions: Heredity and Utility by Romanes, George John