The main idea in Darwin's Theory of "Origin of species by natural selection" is:

  • A. Inheritance of acquired traits
  • B. Use and disuse of organs
  • C. Species never change
  • D. Evolution occurs through gradual accumulation of adaptation through successive generations

Explanation

Darwin argued that individuals vary, that more are born than can survive, and that those better suited leave more offspring, so favourable adaptations accumulate slowly across generations. Inheritance of acquired characters and use and disuse are Lamarck's proposals, offered here as the standard distractors. Fixity of species is the view Darwin overturned.

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