Introduction to Genetics Before Mendel

Hippocrates had a theory resembling what was later called by "pangenesis" Darwin.

Aristotle presented many compelling arguments against Hippocrates concept, including the concept that lost body parts (limbs) were not lost in subsequent generations. See Aristotle on sex determination.

1676 Nehemiah Grew recognized that plants have sex and that the pollen represents the male element.

1691-4 Camerarius put things on a sound experimental basis.

1760 Linnaeus added prestige and detail to the process.

1761-1766 -Kölreuter made many crosses, studied the pollination process. He further recognized the importance of insects as natural pollinators.

1833 - Robert Brown Discovers Nuclei of Cells

1835-39 - Hugo von Mohl described mitosis in detail

1858 - Rudolf Virchow - omnis cellula e cellula - All cells come from preexisting cells.

Text: Genetics: A Conceptual Approach (second edition) by Benjamin A. Pierce

This web site is provided for instruction in Botany and Zoology 342

by Kenneth G. Wilson,
Professor of Botany
Miami University
wilsonkg@muohio.edu