preformationism - 17th century theory of inheritance that hypothesized that all the organs of an adult were prefigured in miniature within either the sperm or the ovum.
Preformation
Theory that every germ cell contains the organism of its kind fully formed and that development involves merely an increase in size. Cf. epigenesis.
Related Terms:
Epigenesis ...
preformation The erroneous idea that gametes contain miniaturized versions of all of the elements present in an adult.
prehensile Adapted for grasping.
premating isolation When behaviors or other factors prevent animals from mating.
'Preformationism,' a theory of heredity, claimed either the egg or the sperm (exactly which was a contentious issue) contained a complete preformed individual called a homunculus.
Theory of the development of organisms from the embryo by concatenating formation and changes in structure. Cf. preformation.
Related Terms:
Preformation ...
 See also: Embryo, Organ, Theory, Plant, Animal
  
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