noun
- plural of pangenesis; Darwin’s theory that all cells produce particles (gemmules) that contribute to heredity
Usage: biological theory; historical
Examples
- Darwin’s pangeneses attempted to explain how acquired characteristics might be inherited.
- The concept of pangeneses was later replaced by modern genetic theory.
- Scientists in the 19th century debated various pangeneses as explanations for heredity.
- Modern biology has moved far beyond the pangeneses proposed by early theorists.
- The pangeneses described by Darwin included the idea of gemmules from every cell.