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'''Jean Baptiste Lamarck''' was one of the first scientists to develop the idea of evolution (though a different version than [[Darwin]]'s).

Jean Baptiste Lamarck was the first scientist to come up with the idea of evolution (though a different version than [[Darwin]]'s).

Jean Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet was born in the village of Bazentin-le-Petit in the north of France, on August 1, 1744. He was the youngest of eleven children in a family with a centuries-old tradition of military service; his father and several of his brothers were soldiers.  

Jean Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet was born in the village of Bazentin-le-Petit in the north of France, on August 1, 1744. He was the youngest of eleven children in a family with a centuries-old tradition of military service; his father and several of his brothers were soldiers.  

''' How does Lamark's theory differ from Darwin's?'''

''' How does Lamark's theory differ from Darwin's?'''

In basic terms, Lamarck thought that the way an animal behaved during its life could affect the form of its offspring. [[Darwin]] meanwhile thought that an individual animal might have a characteristic that gave it an advantage over other individuals of the same [[species]], meaning that it would be more successful in reproduction.  

The difference is mostly semantic.  In basic terms, Lamarck thought that the way an animal behaved during its life could affect the form of its offspring. [[Darwin]] meanwhile thought that an individual animal might have a characteristic that gave it an advantage over other individuals of the same [[species]], meaning that it would be more successful in reproduction.  

The best example to illustrate this is in considering how the [[giraffe]] came to have a long neck.

The best example to illustrate this is in considering how the [[giraffe]] came to have a long neck.

'''Darwin's''' theory suggests that [[giraffe]]s developed as they did because an animal with a longer than average neck would have an advantage in reaching foliage that its shorter-necked fellows could not. Therefore it would be healthier, more successful in breeding and hence more likely to pass on its long-necked genes.

'''Darwin's''' theory suggests that [[giraffe]]s developed as they did because an animal with a longer than average neck would have an advantage in reaching foliage that its shorter-necked fellows could not. Therefore it would be healthier, more successful in breeding and hence more likely to pass on its long-necked genes.

While Lamarck's theories were rejected relatively quickly, Darwin's have proved more enduring.

While Lamarck's theories were tossed out relatively quickly, Darwin's are proving more stubborn, but are losing traction every day among serious scientists.