Gerald A. Kerkut
Encyclopedia
Gerald Allan Kerkut or G. A. Kerkut (19 August 1927 - 6 March 2004) was a noted British zoologist and physiologist. He attended the University of Cambridge
from 1945 to 1952 and earned a doctorate in zoology
. He went on to establish the Department of Physiology and Biochemistry at University of Southampton
where he remained throughout his career. He became Professor of Physiology and Biochemistry in 1966 and went on to become the Dean of Science, Chairman of the School of Biochemical and Physiological Sciences and Head of the Department of Neurophysiology.
University Press, Cambridge, UK.
Press, Oxford, UK.
Southampton, Southampton, UK.
Microcomputers in the Neurosciences, ed. Kerkut GA, pp 1-8. Oxford
University Press, Oxford, UK.
) and what he termed the General Theory of Evolution (often referred to as macroevolution
).
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
from 1945 to 1952 and earned a doctorate in zoology
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
. He went on to establish the Department of Physiology and Biochemistry at University of Southampton
University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed...
where he remained throughout his career. He became Professor of Physiology and Biochemistry in 1966 and went on to become the Dean of Science, Chairman of the School of Biochemical and Physiological Sciences and Head of the Department of Neurophysiology.
Books
- Kerkut GA, ed. (1958) The Invertebrata, Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge, UK.
- Kerkut GA (1960). The Implications of Evolution, Pergamon
Press, Oxford, UK.
- Kerkut GA (1969). The Missing Pieces, University of
Southampton, Southampton, UK.
- Kerkut, G. A. and L. I. Gilbert, eds. (1985) Comprehensive Insect Physiology, Biochemistry & Pharmacology : 13-Volume Set, 8536 pages, Pergamon Press, ISBN 0-08-026850-1
- Kerkut GA (1985). Microcomputers; the revolution of our time. In
Microcomputers in the Neurosciences, ed. Kerkut GA, pp 1-8. Oxford
University Press, Oxford, UK.
- Kerkut, G. A. (1987) Progress in Neurobiology, in four parts, Pergamon Press, ISBN 0080315089 (part 1)
Editor of Journals
- Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, started in 1960
- Progress in Neurobiology, 1973
Controversy
Kerkut's book The Implications of Evolution pointed out some existing unsolved problems and points of concern for evolutionary studies. He referred to seven evolutionary assumptions which he felt lacked sufficient evidentiary support. Creationists have taken these points as evidence against evolution and interpreted them to support their own claims . They claim that he distinguished between the Special Theory of Evolution (often referred to as microevolutionMicroevolution
Microevolution is the changes in allele frequencies that occur over time within a population. This change is due to four different processes: mutation, selection , gene flow, and genetic drift....
) and what he termed the General Theory of Evolution (often referred to as macroevolution
Macroevolution
Macroevolution is evolution on a scale of separated gene pools. Macroevolutionary studies focus on change that occurs at or above the level of species, in contrast with microevolution, which refers to smaller evolutionary changes within a species or population.The process of speciation may fall...
).