Which idea is shared by both Lamarck's and Darwin's theories of evolution?

• A. Organisms change over time in response to their environment.
• B. Acquired characteristics can be inherited by offspring.
• C. All evolutionary changes occur through natural selection.
• D. Species remain unchanged over generations.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the key concepts of Lamarck's and Darwin's theories of evolution. Lamarck proposed that organisms could acquire traits during their lifetime in response to their environment and pass these traits to their offspring. Darwin, on the other hand, emphasized natural selection as the mechanism for evolution, where advantageous traits are passed down because they increase survival and reproduction.
2. Identify the shared idea between the two theories. Both Lamarck and Darwin acknowledged that organisms change over time in response to their environment, even though they differed in the mechanisms they proposed for how these changes occur.
3. Analyze the options provided in the question. The first option, 'Organisms change over time in response to their environment,' aligns with the shared idea between Lamarck's and Darwin's theories.
4. Evaluate the other options to ensure they do not fit both theories. For example, 'Acquired characteristics can be inherited by offspring' is specific to Lamarck's theory, while 'All evolutionary changes occur through natural selection' is specific to Darwin's theory. 'Species remain unchanged over generations' contradicts both theories.
5. Conclude that the correct answer is the shared idea: 'Organisms change over time in response to their environment.' This reflects the common ground between Lamarck's and Darwin's perspectives on evolution.