Which of the Following Statements is TRUE Regarding Hippocrates' Theory

Question

Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding Hippocrates' theory of trait inheritance?
A)This theory influenced later evolutionary biologists, such as Charles Darwin and Jean-Baptiste Lamarck.
B)This theory stated that each body part could produce heritable substances that could be passed onto progeny.
C)This theory was likely the first to postulate how specific traits are inherited.
D)This theory supported the idea that characteristics, such as muscle strength, can be passed from parents to offspring.
E)All of these choices are correct.

Accepted Answer

Hippocrates' theory of trait inheritance, though not accurate by modern standards, was pioneering for its time. It posited that all parts of the body could produce substances responsible for inherited traits, a concept that, while incorrect, laid groundwork for future theories of inheritance. This theory did indeed influence later scientists like Darwin and Lamarck as they developed their own ideas about evolution and inheritance. Additionally, Hippocrates' ideas supported the notion that physical characteristics, such as muscle strength, could be inherited from parents to offspring, making all the provided statements true.