Which of the following statements is true for Lamarckism?a)Traits acqu...
Lamarckism suggests that traits acquired by an organism during its lifetime can be passed on to its offspring. This inheritance of acquired characteristics is a fundamental concept in Lamarck's theory of evolution.
Which of the following statements is true for Lamarckism?a)Traits acqu...
Traits acquired during an organism's lifetime can be inherited.
Explanation:
Lamarckism, also known as Lamarckian inheritance or the theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics, is a scientific theory proposed by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in the early 19th century. It suggests that traits acquired by an organism during its lifetime can be passed on to the next generation.
Lamarckism is based on the idea that organisms can change their traits in response to their environment, and these acquired traits can then be inherited by their offspring. This theory proposes that individual organisms can alter their physical or behavioral characteristics in order to adapt to their environment, and these changes can be passed on to their descendants.
Lamarckism differs from the theory of evolution proposed by Charles Darwin, known as Darwinism or the theory of natural selection. While Darwinism suggests that evolution is driven by the survival of the fittest, Lamarckism suggests that evolution is driven by the inheritance of acquired traits.
According to Lamarckism, if an organism develops a specific trait during its lifetime, such as a longer neck in giraffes, these changes will be passed on to the next generation. For example, if a giraffe stretches its neck to reach leaves on tall trees, its neck will become longer over time. According to Lamarckism, this elongated neck trait can be passed on to the giraffe's offspring, resulting in a population of giraffes with longer necks.
However, it is important to note that Lamarckism has been largely discredited by modern genetics and evolutionary biology. The theory is not supported by scientific evidence and is not considered a valid explanation for the mechanisms of evolution. The modern understanding of evolution is based on the principles of genetic inheritance, mutation, and natural selection, as proposed by Darwin.
In conclusion, the true statement for Lamarckism is that traits acquired during an organism's lifetime can be inherited. However, it is important to note that this theory is not supported by scientific evidence and is not considered a valid explanation for the mechanisms of evolution.