Which of the following is NOT part of Darwin's theory of natural selection?
Correct answer: C. Inheritance of characters acquired during life
- A. Overproduction of offspring
- B. Struggle for existence
- C. Inheritance of characters acquired during life
- D. Survival of the fittest
Explanation
Inheritance of acquired characters is Lamarck's proposal, not Darwin's, and it is the standard distractor in this question. Darwin's argument runs from overproduction to a struggle for existence, and among the naturally varying individuals in that struggle the better adapted survive and reproduce. Darwin did in fact accept some inheritance of acquired characters personally, but it forms no part of the mechanism named after him.
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About Darwinism
Darwinism explains evolution through inherited variation, competition for limited resources, survival and reproduction of better-adapted organisms, and natural selection over generations. It is distinguished from Lamarckism because Darwin's explanation depends on selection acting on existing heritable differences, not the inheritance of acquired characteristics.
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