Biology Fundamentals
In 1951, Ernest Mayr suggested that biologists split up explanations into two overlapping categories: proximate and ultimate (evolutionary). Proximate explanations describe the mechanism underlying a trait or condition. For example, describing the physiology, hormones, genes, or development underlying a biological trait is a proximate explanation. In other words, they explain HOW a mechanism functions. On the other hand, ultimate explanations describe the evolutionary explanation of a trait or condition, such as its adaptive function or phylogenetic history. They explain WHY a mechanism exists.
Today, using multiple types of explanations to provide a full biological understanding of traits that increase vulnerability to disease is the backbone of evolutionary medicine.
