Explain the lamarcks theory in evolution, Biology

Assignment Help:

Explain the Lamarck's Theory in evolution?

Prior to Darwin, most people believed in and held to the creationist viewpoint that species were created in their current forms, which have not changed. In 1809, Jean Baptiste Lamarck proposed a new theory of evolution. He used the fossil record to explain how different adaptations arose.

Lamarck's theory incorporated the following ideas. He thought that organisms had an "inner need" to become better adapted to their environments. This, he thought, would explain the trend that organisms had toward greater and greater complexity observed in the fossil record. Secondly, Lamarck, along with others, felt that organisms are able to gradually lose characteristics that were not used over time, and further, that they could develop those characteristics that were "needed" to aid in their survival. Lastly, Lamarck thought that these newly acquired characteristics, or traits, could be passed on to future generations - this came to be known as the inheritance of acquired traits.

Today, of course, we know that there is no evidence that supports Lamarck's theory. Increasing muscle mass and strength by exercise does not alter the gene that carries that trait. This means that a runner who trains and develops running prowess is not able to pass on acquired increased muscle mass and strength to his or her offspring. Although Lamarck's Theory was ultimately replaced, Lamarck is still credited with formulating a plausible theory that was accepted by many.

 

 


Related Discussions:- Explain the lamarcks theory in evolution

Osmoregulation in terrestrial environment, Osmoregulation in Terrestrial En...

Osmoregulation in Terrestrial Environment  Earlier you have learnt about osmoregulation in aquatic environment. In this section, we shall study how the terrestrial animals cop

What are the poriferans, Q. What are the poriferans? The phyla Porifera...

Q. What are the poriferans? The phyla Porifera include the simplest creatures of the animal kingdom. Sponges are aquatic sessile beings they are not able to move by themselves

Threshold for an action potential in neuron a, Neuron A is a healthy neuron...

Neuron A is a healthy neuron with all the usual ion channels.  When at rest with a membrane voltage of R millivolts, neuron A produces no action potentials.  The voltage thresh

Define economically important fermentation products, Normal 0 f...

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

What are the hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla, What are the hormone...

What are the hormones secreted by the adrenal medulla? What are their respective functions? The medullary portion of the adrenals secretes hormones of the catecholamine group:

Cold hardiness and cold acclimation, Cold Hardiness and Cold Acclimation ...

Cold Hardiness and Cold Acclimation In connection with cold response we would like to introduce two terms- cold hardiness and cold acclimation. Cold-hardiness ref

Meiosis, Why is it necessary to have the second division in meiosis even th...

Why is it necessary to have the second division in meiosis even though cells have already been reduced to haploid number after the first division?

Cardiac catheterization of mitral stenosis, Q. Cardiac Catheterization of m...

Q. Cardiac Catheterization of mitral stenosis? Cardiac catheterization is rarely needed to diagnose mitral stenosis. An end diastolic gradient more than 5 mm Hg. across mitral

Define the clinical experience of anorexia nervosa, Define the Clinical exp...

Define the Clinical experience of anorexia nervosa? Clinical experience suggests that many of the untoward consequences of refeeding can be minimized or avoided by starting the

Why domain archaea are known to contain a true nucleus, Bacteria never have...

Bacteria never have a nucleus but some members of the domain Archaea are known to contain a true nucleus.

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd