Question

The theory of inheritance of acquired characters was put forth by
(a) De Vries
(b) Lamarck
(c) Weismann
(d) Galton

Answer 1

Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics was first presented in 1801. It was proposed by a French naturalist. He proposed that biological evolution occurred and proceeded following natural laws. He was the first to advance a comprehensive scientific theory to explain organic evolution.

Complete answer:
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck is famous for his discovery from the end of the nineteenth century and it was in 1801, Lamarck has put forth the theory of inheritance of acquired characters. He put forth the ideas that nature consists of different life forms and depending upon their habitat they have different characters and behaviour. These characters are known as acquired characters which get inherited. According to him when there is a need for any organ according to the habitat it got generated in the succeeding generation and then disappears in no use this is called as use and disuse of organs.
-Major postulates of Lamarckism can be summarized as; Nature tends to enhance the size and efficiency of organisms and then parts through environmental influences and internal forces of life.
-Formation of a new organ is a result of a new felt by the organism.
-Constant use of an organ causes its modification, perfection, and maximum development and enlargement.

So, the correct answer is 'Lamarck'.

Note:
-Cumulative modifications and adaptations eventually transform a species into a new one in time and space.
-Environment modifies organisms to attain better adaptation, higher efficiency, and maximum fitness.
-Variation occurs in organisms due to constant use. This is called the theory of use and disuse.
- After the Darwin theory of natural selection, Lamarck theory is disproved, according to him the character of the organism depends not only on habitat but also on their genes.