What Darwin Didn't Know: The Modern Science of Evolution Season 1 Episode 2 Inheritance: Darwin's Missing Link

In episode 2 of What Darwin Didn't Know: The Modern Science of Evolution titled "Inheritance: Darwin's Missing Link," the focus is on the concept of inheritance and the missing link in Darwin's theory of evolution. The episode delves into the work of Gregor Mendel, a scientist who lived in the 19th century and is known as the father of genetics.

The episode begins by exploring the early understandings of inheritance, including the work of Aristotle and the ancient Greeks. From there, the focus shifts to Mendel and his groundbreaking experiments with pea plants. Through meticulous crossbreeding and observation, Mendel was able to determine the laws of inheritance and establish the basis of modern genetics.

The episode also touches on the debates that occurred between Darwin and his contemporaries over the mechanism of inheritance, with many failing to see the connection between variation and natural selection. The feats of contemporary evolutionary biologists are also detailed, including the work of Carl Woese in discovering the three domains of life.

Additionally, the episode details the more recent advancement of epigenetics and how it challenges classic Darwinian mechanisms of inheritance, leading to a debate over whether mutations can be inherited. Cutting-edge research by scientists such as David Haig lays the groundwork for ongoing debates over the role of parental experience in shaping offspring traits.

Finally, the episode explores the implications of new research for predicting responses to disease and other environmental pressures in the future. As the genetic revolution progresses, scientists are uncovering more and more about inheritance, and our understanding of evolution is evolving in new and exciting ways.

"Inheritance: Darwin's Missing Link" is a fascinating episode that dives into some of the most interesting developments in the field of evolution. From the early understandings of inheritance to the modern discovery of epigenetics, the episode covers it all, providing a comprehensive overview of the exciting field of evolutionary biology. Anyone interested in science, genetics, or evolution will find this episode a captivating exploration of one of the most critical facets of the modern life sciences.