The central idea of Lamarck's theory of evolution is that
Correct answer: B. characteristics acquired during an individual's lifetime are passed on to its offspring
- A. variations arise at random and are then selected
- B. characteristics acquired during an individual's lifetime are passed on to its offspring
- C. species are fixed and do not change
- D. populations evolve by chance changes in allele frequency
Explanation
Lamarck proposed that an organism changes during its own life in response to need and environment, and that these changes are transmitted to the next generation, so evolution is directed by use rather than by selection. Random variation followed by selection is Darwin's very different mechanism. Lamarck did accept that species change, so fixity of species is the view he was arguing against.
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About Lamarckism
Lamarckism explains evolution through environmental influence, use and disuse of organs, and the inheritance of acquired characteristics. It differs from Darwinian natural selection because Lamarck proposed that organisms develop useful traits during their lifetime and pass them on, a view not supported by modern genetics.
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