6.3.4

Inheritance Theory

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Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics

Other theories of evolution proposed that changes in an organism over its lifetime could be passed on to its children. The most famous of these theories was Lamarck's theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics. In giraffes, he argued:

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Long necks

  • Giraffes have very long necks, which allow them to reach the upper branches of trees to feed (eat).
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Early giraffes

  • Earlier giraffes had shorter necks and so would have to stretch to reach their food.
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Stretching

  • Continual stretching resulted in the elongation of giraffe necks within a lifetime.
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New characteristic passed on

  • Lamarck believed that this newly-acquired characteristic would then be passed on to the next generation.
    • Lamarck's theory has since been disproven. Changes that happen in an animal's lifetime are NOT passed on to future generations.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

1.1What's in Cells?

1.2Cell Division

1.3Transport in Cells

2Organisation

2.1Principles of Organisation

2.2Enzymes

2.3Circulatory System

2.4Non-Communicable Diseases

2.5Plant Tissues, Organs & Systems

3Infection & Response

4Bioenergetics

5Homeostasis & Response

5.1Homeostasis

5.2The Human Nervous System

5.3Hormonal Coordination in Humans

5.4Plant Hormones

6Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

7Ecology

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