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Ontogeny re-capitulates phylogeny.

“Ontogeny re-capitulates phylogeny.” quote by Ernst Haeckel
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“Ontogeny re-capitulates phylogeny.”

Ernst Haeckel

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The development of an individual organism mirrors the evolutionary stages of its species.

In simple terms: Individual growth reflects species history.

Key Takeaway

Study developmental patterns to infer evolutionary history.

Themes

biology evolution development history

Mood

inquisitive critical

Type

scientific educational

When to use this quote

  • education
  • research
  • comparative anatomy
  • evolutionary studies

Key Concepts

Recapitulation theory phylogenetic development embryology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What modern evidence supports or refutes this idea?
  • How does this concept influence current evolutionary biology?
A Different Perspective

Theory is oversimplified; many exceptions exist.

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