Regeneration

A series of early‑twentieth‑century lectures unfolds the mystery of how living organisms rebuild lost parts, weaving together history, experiment, and critical analysis. The author sets a measured tone, questioning unfounded speculation while championing evidence‑based inquiry, and invites listeners to join a thoughtful exploration of what it means for biology to be a science.

Spanning animals and plants, the discussion moves from the classic salamander tales of Trembley and Bonnet to the subtle influences of temperature, light, and gravity on regrowth. Internal dynamics such as polarity, organ influence, and nuclear roles are examined alongside striking examples of grafting, autotomy, and self‑division, offering a rich tapestry of case studies that illuminate the principles of regeneration.

By the end of the first act, listeners will have a clear sense of the field’s foundational questions and the rigorous methods used to address them, setting the stage for deeper insight into how life repairs itself and what that reveals about evolution and development.