Chapter 17, Problem 1RCC

What was Lamarck’s theory about how evolutionary change occurred?

To determine

Lamarck’s theory that explains the occurrence of evolutionary changes.

Answer to Problem 1RCC

Solution:

Lamarck’s theory explain the inheritance of acquired characteristics. Jean-Baptiste Lamarck gave the theory inheritance of acquired characteristics.

Explanation of Solution

Lamarck proposed a theory that the acquired traits could be passed on to the offsprings. If a generation uses a part of the body more as compared to the previous generation, the changes will occur in the traits of that specific part of the body. These specific traits will be passed on to the offsprings. For example: In the beginning, giraffes had a shorter neck. They used to eat leaves of short trees. When trees started to grow taller, the giraffes had to stretch their neck to reach that height. This resulted in the evolution of long necks of giraffes.