What did Aristotle believe provided information for offspring according to his theory of heredity?

• A. Menstrual blood
• B. Maternal instincts
• C. Environment
• D. Parenting styles

Answer: (A)

Aristotle believed that menstrual blood was the critical substance contributing information for the development of offspring. In his theory of heredity, he posited that the mother provided the material necessary for the creation of offspring, linking the physical aspects of reproduction to the female’s biological processes. This perspective reflected a view of reproduction that emphasized the role of the female body in generating life, where the menstrual blood was thought to carry the essence of the mother, contributing to the form and characteristics of the offspring. This idea precedes modern genetics and offers insight into early interpretations of heredity in the context of biology.