ATAVISM Meaning and
Definition
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Atavism refers to the re-emergence of ancestral traits or characteristics in an individual or species, which were thought to have vanished or become dormant and were not seen in recent generations. It is derived from the Latin word "atavus," meaning great-great-grandfather.
In biology, atavism is often used to describe the occurrence of traits in an organism that resemble those found in its remote ancestors, rather than its immediate parents. This phenomenon can manifest as physical features, such as a tail in humans, supernumerary nipples, or even extra digits. Atavistic traits can also include behavioral or psychological tendencies reminiscent of earlier ancestors.
Atavism is linked to the concept of genetic variation and genetic throwbacks. It occurs due to the hereditary information carried within the genes of an individual. Although most traits are inherited in a progressively diluted manner over generations, certain genes may remain latent and can reappear unexpectedly. These atavistic traits provide insights into the evolutionary past, as they reveal remnants of earlier forms of species.
The occurrence of atavism is sometimes referred to as de-evolution; however, it does not imply a downward, regressive process, but rather the reappearance of characters due to the recombination of genetic material. Atavism can play a vital role in understanding evolutionary biology, genetic inheritance, and the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors that shape an organism's traits.
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The appearance in an individual of any mental or physical characteristic or tendency to disease or diathesis, peculiar to a remote ancestor, but not manifest in the intermediate generations.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ATAVISM
Etymology of ATAVISM
The word "atavism" comes from the Latin term "atavus", which means "ancestor" or "forefather". The suffix "-ism" is added to indicate that atavism is a noun denoting a concept, quality, or condition. Atavism refers to the reappearance of a characteristic or trait in an organism that had been present in its ancestors but has been absent in previous generations. The term was first introduced by the French biologist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in the early 19th century to explain the sudden reemergence of ancestral traits in organisms.
Similar spelling words for ATAVISM
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