Question

Your response to the question should be long enough to address the question but limited to no more than two pages. These are essay style questions therefore you should give essay style answers. Do not copy the published work of others. If you cite the work of someone else, please provide the appropriate citation. Briefly, but completely respond to the question.

Why was the theory of evolution as proposed by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck so heavily criticized by Lamarck’s contemporaries and modern biologists? What did his theory propose and why was this explanation incorrect? Despite the flaws of some of his ideas, what contribution(s) did Lamarck make to our current understanding of biological evolution and possibly to other fields of knowledge?

Answer 1

Answer: Lamarck has given the “theory of acquired characteristics” That means an organism can pass on acquired characteristics of lifetime to its offspring. (Example: The long neck of the giraffe is taken an example of Lamarckism.)

This theory was opposed by many scientists as it was not found applicable in many cases.

For example: If tail of rat is cut for more than 20 generations, next generations are coming with tail etc. It means tailless acquired characteristic is not passing to next generations.

Later after a series of experiments it was concluded that only acquired characteristics which leads to genetic changes can only passes to next generation. This has given a modification of Lamarckism and named as neo-Lamarckism.

Contributions of Lamarck in understanding biological evolution:

1.      He said evolution is a constant process occurring in all living animals which gives a complex version of any organism and ends with advanced features.

2.      He has shown the impact of environment in evolution of any organism.

3.      Behaviors and habits or organism plays an important role in evolution.