Use and disuse theory

Japanese: 用不用説 - ようふようせつ（英語表記）use and disuse theory

A theory of evolution proposed by J. Lamarck. It states that in response to the environment, organs that are frequently used develop over successive generations, while organs that are no longer used gradually shrink and degenerate. It also states that the characteristics acquired during a lifetime are passed on to offspring, and that organisms change over successive generations. Lamarck's basis for this theory was the view that organisms have a general tendency to progress, and that this tendency is directed in a specific direction to develop organs, but this view is now rejected, as it recognized the inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia About Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Information

Japanese:

J.ラマルクによって提唱された進化説。生物は環境に応じて，よく使用する器官は代を重ねるにつれて発達し，反対に使用しなくなった器官は次第に縮小・退化するという説で，一生の間に得た形質は子孫に伝えられ，代を重ねるにつれて生物が変っていくとした。ラマルクがこれを唱えた基礎には，生物には一般的な前進の傾向があり，これが特定の方向に方向づけられて器官などを発達させるとの見方があったが，獲得形質の遺伝を認めたもので，今日では否定されている。

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