Lamarckism and Evolution Theory

Which theory is associated with Jean Baptiste de Lamarck?

What is the first postulate of Lamarck's theory?

According to Lamarck, what happens to organs that are frequently used?

What example did Lamarck use to illustrate his theory?

What effect did Lamarck propose regarding the continuous effort of using an organ?

What was a key criticism of Lamarck's theory?

How did Lamarck believe that acquired characteristics were passed to offspring?

What was one significant outcome of Lamarck's ideas?

Overview of Lamarckism

Jean Baptiste de Lamarck (1744-1829) was a French biologist and an early proponent of evolutionary theory.
His concept, known as Lamarckism, focuses on the Inheritance of Acquired Characters.
Detailed his evolutionary ideas in Philosophie Zoologique (1809), emphasizing evolution as a progression from simpler to more complex organisms.

Key Postulates of Lamarckism

Use and Disuse of Organs:
- Organisms may develop or weaken their organs based on how frequently they are used or disregarded.
- Repeated use strengthens organs, while disuse leads to degeneration over generations.
- Example: Giraffes evolved from short-necked ancestors. As ground vegetation disappeared, they had to stretch their necks to reach leaves in trees, resulting in longer necks over generations.
Inheritance of Acquired Characters:
- Characters developed during an organism's lifetime, such as strong muscles from frequent use, can be passed on to offspring.
- This idea faced significant criticism, leading to the rejection of Lamarck's theory by later scientists.

Explore the fundamental principles of Lamarckism, as proposed by Jean Baptiste de Lamarck. This quiz covers his thoughts on evolution and the concept of inheritance of acquired characters, as detailed in his influential work, Philosophie Zoologique. Test your knowledge on this alternative view of evolution.