What was Aristotle's view of semen in heredity?

• A. It is irrelevant.
• B. It is purely a matter of chance.
• C. It provides the form for offspring.
• D. It is complex and variable.

Answer: (C)

Aristotle believed that semen played a crucial role in the creation of offspring, as he theorized that it imparted the ‘form’ to the developing embryo. In his view, the male contributed the essential information or blueprint for the offspring through semen, while the female contributed the matter from which the offspring would be formed. This concept laid the groundwork for early biological theories of heredity, positing that the traits of a child were not just random but were a direct result of the contributions made by the parents, particularly through the male's semen.

Aristotle's perspective highlighted the importance of both male and female contributions to heredity, but placed particular emphasis on the male role in providing the underlying structure or essence that would shape the resulting offspring. This understanding reflects an early attempt to explain how traits are passed on, predating modern genetics, and showcases Aristotle's influence on biological thought. The accuracy and depth of his ideas were, of course, later enhanced and refined through advances in genetics, particularly with the understanding of DNA and genetic inheritance.