Atavism Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ฆ
atavism
[หรฆtษหvษชzษm ]
Definition
biological term
Atavism refers to the return of a trait or characteristic that was once common in ancestral forms but has since disappeared in more recent generations. It is often seen in genetics where traits or behaviors can reappear after several generations, due to recessive genes that have not been expressed in the intervening lineage.
Synonyms
ancestral trait, reversion, throwback.
Examples of usage
- The atavism of certain physical traits can sometimes be seen in modern humans.
- Researchers studied atavism in animals to understand evolutionary processes.
- The appearance of extra toes in horses is an example of genetic atavism.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Science
- Atavism can manifest as physical traits, such as a human being born with a tail or additional toes.
- In genetics, certain traits can resurface due to recessive genes being expressed after skipping generations.
- The study of atavism helps scientists understand how traits evolve and how some characteristics can lie dormant before reappearing.
Cultural References
- In literature, the idea of atavism can be used to explore themes of primal instincts versus modern society, as seen in works like 'The Call of the Wild' by Jack London.
- Movies like 'Jurassic Park' depict atavism through the revival of prehistoric traits in modern creatures, emphasizing natureโs unpredictability.
- Art movements such as Romanticism often idealized the past, reflecting a cultural atavism towards simpler, more natural ways of life.
Psychology
- Atavism can also relate to behavior, where individuals may display instincts or habits reminiscent of earlier human societies.
- Psychological studies consider how modern stressors can trigger ancient survival instincts, revealing atavistic behavior patterns.
- The concept is sometimes used in discussions of moral and ethical development, questioning how primitive instincts influence modern human behavior.
Evolutionary Biology
- Some species exhibit atavistic traits to adapt to their environment, such as the re-emergence of ancestors' traits that were advantageous.
- Research on atavism has contributed to understanding evolutionary processes, highlighting how traits can cycle back into a population.
- Atavism serves as evidence in evolutionary biology for the complexity of genetic inheritance and the unpredictability of evolution.
Origin of 'atavism'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'atavus', meaning 'forefather' or 'ancestor'.
- Historically, the term was coin in the 19th century by biologists studying evolution and inheritance.
- It suggests a reappearance of primitive features, showcasing changes in evolution over time.
The term 'atavism' originates from the Latin word 'atavus', meaning 'ancestors' or 'forefathers'. Its usage started to emerge in the 19th century, particularly in the fields of genetics and anthropology, to describe the phenomenon where traits or features reappear in an organism after being absent for several generations. The concept became widely discussed among scientists studying evolution and heredity, particularly during the studies of Charles Darwin and Gregor Mendel. Atavism illustrates how certain genetic characteristics may linger in the gene pool, only to arise under specific conditions, reflecting the complexity of genetic inheritance and ancestry.