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Difficulty: MediumLamarck's Theory of Evolution

According to Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's theory of evolution, physical modifications developed by an organism during its lifetime in response to environmental demands are directly transmitted to its offspring. Is this statement true or false?

Answer: Answer

Answer

True. Lamarck's theory posits that acquired phenotypic changes gained during an individual's lifetime are passed down to offspring.
The statement accurately reflects Lamarck's hypothesis, which held that environmental conditions trigger specific needs in an organism, prompting structural adaptations through use or disuse that are subsequently inherited by offspring.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the core assertion made in the statement regarding evolutionary change.
The statement asserts that traits acquired during an organism's lifetime due to environmental interaction are inherited by progeny.
Identifying the central claim is necessary to evaluate which historical evolutionary theory it reflects.
2
Compare the claim against the classic postulates of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck.
Lamarck's theory relies on two primary principles: the law of use and disuse, and the inheritance of acquired traits.
Lamarck explicitly argued that organs change with use/disuse and that these structural alterations are directly transmitted to future generations.

Key Concept

Lamarck's Principle of Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics
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Lamarck's Theory of Evolution

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