Teorias de La Evolución.

THEORIES OF EVOLUTION
 FOUR THEORIES HAVE BEEN PUT FORWARD TO EXPLAIN THE MODE OF EVOLUTION
1. LAMARCKISM.
2. DARWINISM.
3. MUTATION THEORY BY HUGO DE VRIES.
4. SYNTHETIC THEORY OF EVOLUTION.
1. LAMARCKISM / LAMARCK’S THEORY OF INHERITANCE OF ACQUIRED

CHARACTERS.
Lamarckism was proposed by Jean-Baptiste de Monet Lamarck a French biologist.
Outline of the theory was brought to notice in 1801 but his famous book “philosophic
zoologique” was published in 1809.
He also coined the terms invertebrates and Annelida, Term biology was also given by Lamarck
and Treviranus.
This theory was based on the principle that all the physical changes occurring in an individual
during its lifetime are inherited by its offspring.
THE FOUR PROPOSITIONS OF LAMARCK:

1. INTERNAL VITAL FORCE
2. EFFECT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND NEW NEEDS
3. USE AND DISUSE OF THE ORGANS.
4. INHERITANCE OF THE ACQUIRED CHARACTERS.
EXAMPLES IN SUPPORT OF THE LAMARCKISM:

1. Evolution of the giraffe: The ancestors of the giraffe looked like horses with small necks
and forelimbs. They lived in areas where there was no surface vegetation. Therefore,
they had to stretch their neck and forelimbs to eat leaves from tall trees. Consequently,
these parts got elongated. This trait was then transmitted in the progeny.
2. Webbed toes of the aquatic birds : Aquatic birds such as ducks are believed to have
evolved from terrestrial animals
3. Disappearance of the limbs in snakes : The snakes are believed to have evolved from
lizard-like ancestors that have two pairs of limbs
4. Flightless birds: ancestors of these birds like ostriches were capable of flying before.
5. Deer: the ancestors of deer were not having so much speed in running they coevolved
with their predators.
6. Cave dwellers: The ancestors of the animals living in caves are believed to have
powerful eyesight. Due to living under continuous dark conditions, they lost their power
to see.
CRITICISM OF LAMARCKISM:
1. No vital force
2. Doubtful that environment hold the ground for a need of the new structures.
3. Use and disuse is not entirely correct.
4. Inheritance of the acquired characters is disputed.
5. August Weismann a German biologist was the main oppose of the theory, he put
forward the THEORYOF CONTINUITY OF THE GERMPLASM.
Other examples: Boring of pinna, Wrestlers’ powerful muscles not transferred to the
child. Etc.
2. Darwinism: Theory of the Darwin: Charles Robert Darwin, an English naturalist, geologist, and
biologist, is well known for his theory of evolution and the process of natural selection.
He gave the theory of evolution, which is known as ‘Darwin’s theory of natural selection’ and also
published a book, on “Origin of Species by Natural Selection”.
According to Darwin’s Theory, the main features of this theory are as follows,
 Over production / rapid multiplication: All organisms reproduce and multiply enormously.
Organisms also show differential reproduction.
 Struggle for the existence: they face intraspecific, interspecific and environmental struggle.
 Variations: No two individuals are alike. They are different from each other either in their size,
shape, behavior, etc. Some traits are consistently passed on from their parent to the offspring.
According to Darwin the variations are continuous and those which are helpful in the
adaptations of an organism towards its surrounding are passed on to the offspring while others
disappear.
 Natural selection /survival of the fittest: favorable variations help the organism to survive in
their surroundings.
 Inheritance of the useful variations: useful variations are passed on to the new generations.
 Formation of the new species continuous and useful variations after some generations become
distinct that they form a new species.
CRITICISM OF THE DARWINS THEORY
The natural selection theory does not explain-
 Inheritance of the small variations

 Overspecialization of the some organs
 Vestigial organs
 Arrival of the fittest
 Degeneration of the some organs
 Discontinuous variations.
3. Mutation theory:
Proposed by Hugo de vries, a Dutch botanist

According to him the new species are formed by the appearance of sudden variations,
which he called mutations. The mutations according to him are inheritable and persist in
successive generations.
The salient features of mutation theory are as follows:
 Mutations or discontinuous variations are the raw material of evolution.

 Mutations appear all of a sudden. They become operational immediately.
 Unlike Darwin’s continuous variations or fluctuations, mutations do not revolve around the mean or
normal character of the species.
 The same type of mutations can appear in a number of individuals of a species.
 Accumulation of variations produce new species. Sometimes a new species is produced from a
single mutation.
 Useful mutations are selected by nature. Lethal mutations are eliminated. However, useless and
less harmful ones can persist in the progeny.
 Mutations appear in all conceivable directions.
 All mutations are inheritable.
 Evolution is a jerky and discontinuous process.

Teorias de La Evolución.

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Teorias de La Evolución.

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Teorias de La Evolución.

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

THEORIES OF EVOLUTION

1. LAMARCKISM / LAMARCK’S THEORY OF INHERITANCE OF ACQUIRED

THE FOUR PROPOSITIONS OF LAMARCK:

EXAMPLES IN SUPPORT OF THE LAMARCKISM:

CRITICISM OF THE DARWINS THEORY

The natural selection theory does not explain-

 Inheritance of the small variations

Proposed by Hugo de vries, a Dutch botanist

 Mutations or discontinuous variations are the raw material of evolution.

You might also like