Question

Lamarck’s theory of evolution fails to explain
A. Indian women have been getting their ears pierced for thousands of years, but not a single baby with pierced ears is born.
B. Giraffes have long necks because they have to eat leaves from the tall trees in their habitat.
C. Deer have the capacity to escape from agile enemies because they can run very fast.
D. High altitude pines have branches which slope down so that snow fails to collect them in winter.

Answer 1

Charles Darwin the father of evolution gave their theory in evolution proposed a new concept in the evolution of survival of the fittest. However, Lamarck also gives their contribution in the field of evolution, where they gave the theory of evolution which is also known as the theory of inheritance of acquired characters.

Complete answer: Lamarck's theory of evolution states that organisms change to adapt themselves to the environment. He stated that the changes that are acquired by an organism in their lifetime are passed onto their offspring.
-Lamarck stated his theory with the help of the example of a giraffe. He said that the giraffes stretched their necks continuously to reach the top of the big trees. He said that this acquired trait was passed to the next generation. He also stated the ‘Use and Disuse’ of the organs. According to him the organs that are used most get strengthened, while the organs that are used less become weak.
-Eventually, Lamarck’s theory was discontinued. This is because in Neo-Lamarckism it was found that changes in the somatic cells are never acquired and passed onto the offspring. Only the changes that occur in the germinal cells are passed to the next generation.
-Thus, the correct answer is Option A
This is because Indian women getting their ears pierced for thousands of ears causes no effect on the germ cells. It is a variation of the somatic cells and hence, it is never inherited by the progeny.

Note: Lamarck’s theory of evolution is also known as the Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characters, or the Theory of Use and Disuse of organs. Lamarck made the first attempt ever to understand and explain the origin of species and their adaptation to the environment. He published his theory in a book known as the ‘Philosophie Zoologique’, in the year 1809.