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Lamarck's Theory

Lamarck's theory of evolution proposed that acquired traits could be inherited. It stated that use and disuse of organs could cause them to develop or diminish over time, and these changes could be passed on. The theory also claimed that new traits formed in response to the environment could be inherited. However, experiments disproved Lamarckism and showed traits acquired by parents are not inherited by offspring.

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624 views

Lamarck's Theory

Lamarck's theory of evolution proposed that acquired traits could be inherited. It stated that use and disuse of organs could cause them to develop or diminish over time, and these changes could be passed on. The theory also claimed that new traits formed in response to the environment could be inherited. However, experiments disproved Lamarckism and showed traits acquired by parents are not inherited by offspring.

Uploaded by

surajkeshari9826
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lamarck’s theory

• It is also known as theory of inheritance of acquired character.


• Jean Baptiste de Lamarck, a French biologist at first proposed the theory of
organic evolution (1809). According to him “environment is not the major factor
of evolution.”
• He published his idea in a famous journal “Philosophie Zoologique” in 1809.
• Theory of Lamarck is also known as Lamarckism.
Postulates of Lamarck:
1. Tendency to grow
2. Formation of new organs
3. Use & disuse of organs
4. Inheritance of acquired character
DK/XI/Zoology 1
• Tendency to grow – Every organism has the internal power to grow. Due to this
power organism cause the increase in size & appear in large size. Organism
increase its size up to its certain limits.
• Formation of new organs – It is also known as environmental effect. Due to this
effect the organism influence lead to change in their habits & habitats. The
organs of these organisms modify into appropriate pattern according to the
environment. Finally in organism the formation of new organ takes place.
• Use & disuse of organs – The efficiency & development of organs is directly
proportional to its use. It means continuous use of an organ change into more
strong & functional form. And the organ which is rearly used may disappear or
under develop.
• Inheritance of acquired character – It means that beneficial character always
transmit to their new offspring. All the change in organism is due to above
factor gone to their next generation. Finally, in long course of time entire
organism differ from their ancestor.
• Speciation – At the end of evolution, finally a new species is formed is called
speciation.
DK/XI/Zoology 2
• Example that favor Lamarckism – Giraffe, horse, snake, etc.

• Objections / drawback of Lamarckism:


➢The mutations are not inherited.
➢The major objection of Lamarck is done by German biologist August
Weismann (mice tail experiment up to 20 generations).
➢The powerful muscles acquired by an athlete are not inherited by their
offspring.
DK/XI/Zoology 3
• Germplasm theory (Neo Lamarckism) - Somatic cell & germ cell / Guinea
pig experiment
• Boring of pinnae & nose of women is not inherited in their offspring.
• Tight waist of European ladies & small sized feet of Chinese woman are
not transmitted from one generation to another. So, Lamarckism was
rejected.

DK/XI/Zoology 4

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