Which statement best describes the role of Lamarck's ideas in the development of Darwin's theory of evolution?

• A. Lamarck proposed that organisms could acquire traits during their lifetime and pass them to offspring, which influenced Darwin to consider how traits might be inherited.
• B. Lamarck's work was unknown to Darwin and had no impact on his theory.
• C. Lamarck's ideas were fully adopted by Darwin as the main mechanism of evolution.
• D. Lamarck rejected the concept of change in species over time, which Darwin later disproved.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context of Lamarck's ideas: Lamarck proposed the theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics, suggesting that organisms could acquire traits during their lifetime through use or disuse and pass these traits to their offspring. For example, he theorized that giraffes developed long necks by stretching to reach higher leaves, and this trait was inherited by their descendants.
2. Recognize the historical connection: Darwin was aware of Lamarck's ideas, and while he did not adopt them fully, they influenced his thinking about how traits might be inherited and how species change over time. Darwin's theory of natural selection provided a different mechanism for evolution, focusing on variation and survival rather than acquired traits.
3. Clarify the differences between Lamarck and Darwin: Lamarck's mechanism relied on the inheritance of acquired traits, while Darwin's theory emphasized natural selection acting on heritable variations already present in a population. Darwin's ideas were supported by evidence from observations and experiments, whereas Lamarck's lacked empirical support.
4. Evaluate the statements provided: The correct answer is the one that acknowledges Lamarck's influence on Darwin's thinking about inheritance and evolution, even though Darwin did not adopt Lamarck's mechanism. This highlights the progression of scientific ideas and how earlier theories can shape later ones.
5. Conclude with the importance of Lamarck's role: Lamarck's ideas, while incorrect in their mechanism, were significant in sparking discussions about evolution and inheritance, paving the way for Darwin's groundbreaking work on natural selection and the modern understanding of evolutionary biology.