Darwin's scientific theory of evolution explains and predicts which of the following?

• A. The inheritance of acquired characteristics
• B. The fixed, unchanging nature of species
• C. The spontaneous generation of life from non-living matter
• D. How species change over time through natural selection

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the core concept of Darwin's theory of evolution, which is based on natural selection. Natural selection is the process by which individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing those traits to the next generation.
2. Clarify that Darwin's theory does not support the inheritance of acquired characteristics. This idea was proposed by Lamarck and suggests that traits acquired during an organism's lifetime can be passed to offspring, which is not consistent with Darwin's findings.
3. Recognize that Darwin's theory contradicts the idea of the fixed, unchanging nature of species. Instead, it emphasizes that species evolve and adapt over time in response to environmental pressures.
4. Understand that Darwin's theory does not address the spontaneous generation of life from non-living matter. This concept is unrelated to natural selection and evolution, and modern science attributes the origin of life to abiogenesis, which is a separate field of study.
5. Conclude that Darwin's scientific theory of evolution explains how species change over time through the mechanism of natural selection, which is supported by extensive evidence from fossil records, comparative anatomy, genetics, and observed evolutionary changes in populations.