Question

Explain the principles of Lamarck’s theory.

Answer 1

Lamarck’s proposed two principles in his theory and they are:

1. The theory of use and disuse: The organs increase in size when they are used often and the organs, that are not used will degenerate.
   Eg: The neck in the giraffe is an example of constant use and the absence of limbs in snakes is an example of disuse theory.
2. The theory of inheritance of acquired characters:
   The characters developed by an organism during its lifetime are the acquired characters. Lamarck postulated that these acquired characters are then inherited to the next generation.