What is evolutionary developmental biology?

Q: What is evolutionary developmental biology?


A: Evolutionary developmental biology, also known as 'evo-devo', interprets development in the context of evolution and modern genetics.

Q: Who proposed the theory of evolution through natural selection?


A: Charles Darwin proposed the theory of evolution through natural selection in his book 'On the Origin of Species' in 1859.

Q: What did Darwin recognise about embryonic development in the understanding of evolution?


A: Darwin recognised the importance of embryonic development in the understanding of evolution, stating that characters derived from the embryo are just as important as those derived from the adult.

Q: What is 'ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny'?


A: 'Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny' is the idea proposed by Ernst Haeckel that the development of the embryo of every species repeats the evolutionary development of that species.

Q: Why do humans and all vertebrates have gill slits and tails early in embryonic development?


A: According to Haeckel's theory of 'ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny', humans and all vertebrates have gill slits and tails early in embryonic development because their evolutionary ancestors also had these features.

Q: Is Haeckel's concept of 'ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny' still widely accepted?


A: No, Haeckel's concept of 'ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny' is largely discredited today.

Q: What contribution did Haeckel make to the understanding of embryonic development?


A: Haeckel's concept of 'ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny' contributed to the understanding of embryonic development by proposing that the development of the embryo of every species repeats the evolutionary development of that species.

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