acquired character
LowAcademic/Technical
Definition
Meaning
A physical or behavioral trait of an organism that develops during its lifetime as a response to environmental factors, not inherited through genes.
In modern biology, often used in historical or pedagogical contexts to refer to the now-disproven Lamarckian theory of inheritance, where such acquired traits were thought to be passed to offspring. Also used metaphorically in non-scientific contexts to describe learned behaviors or characteristics.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used in biology, history of science, and evolutionary theory discussions. Has strong connotations of being an outdated scientific concept. When used metaphorically, it often implies a characteristic gained through experience or effort.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties; it is a technical term from evolutionary biology.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term carries the connotation of a historically significant but scientifically rejected concept (Lamarckism).
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Slightly higher frequency in academic historical or biological texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [NOUN] is an acquired character.Lamarck argued for the inheritance of acquired characters.Scientists rejected the theory that [ACQUIRED CHARACTER] could be inherited.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in history of science, biology, and philosophy of science to discuss Lamarckism versus Darwinism.
Everyday
Virtually never used. A highly specialised term.
Technical
Used precisely to denote a trait arising from an organism's interaction with its environment during its lifetime, as defined in evolutionary biology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The biologist explained that a giraffe's stretched neck was not an acquired character that could be passed to its young.
- The debate centred on whether such acquired characters played any role in evolution.
American English
- Lamarck's theory relied heavily on the concept of the acquired character.
- In the textbook, the term 'acquired character' was highlighted as a key historical idea.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The idea of an acquired character is very old.
- Scientists do not believe acquired characters are inherited.
- Lamarck famously used the example of a blacksmith's strong arms as an acquired character that he believed could be inherited.
- The modern synthesis of evolution firmly rejected the inheritance of acquired characters.
- Although the notion of the acquired character has been discredited in genetics, it paved the way for later discussions on epigenetics and phenotypic plasticity.
- The philosopher analysed the epistemological shift away from accepting acquired characters as drivers of evolutionary change.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ACQUIRED = gained during life; CHARACTER = trait. It's a trait you ACQUIRE, not one you're born with (like a tattoo vs. eye colour).
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A JOURNEY OF ACCUMULATION (traits are possessions gathered along the way). KNOWLEDGE IS INHERITANCE (the outdated idea that learned traits can be passed down like property).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with "приобретённая черта" which can be used more broadly for any learned habit. "Acquired character" is a specific biological term. The Russian "приобретённый признак" is the direct equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a synonym for 'personality trait developed in adulthood'.
- Confusing it with 'acquired immunity' (a related but different biological concept).
- Misspelling as 'aquired character'.
- Assuming it is a currently accepted scientific term.
Practice
Quiz
In modern biology, an 'acquired character' is primarily understood as:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are opposing ideas. Natural selection acts on inherited genetic variation. The inheritance of acquired characters (Lamarckism) proposes that traits developed during life are passed on genetically, which modern genetics has disproven.
A simple example is a large, well-developed muscle from weightlifting. It is acquired during the individual's life but is not encoded in their sperm or egg cells, so it cannot be inherited by their children.
It is taught in the context of the history of science to show how scientific ideas develop, change, and are tested. Understanding past wrong theories helps us appreciate the strength of current evidence for concepts like genetics and natural selection.
Not in the classic Lamarckian sense. Epigenetics involves chemical modifications that affect gene expression without changing the DNA sequence itself. Some epigenetic marks can be influenced by environment and *sometimes* inherited, but this is a specific, nuanced mechanism, not the broad, direct inheritance of physical traits like strengthened muscles imagined by Lamarck.