22 Biology -- Theories of Evolution

Mention the criticisms of Darwinism( Theory of Natural Selection).

1 Answers

One of the pillars of contemporary evolutionary biology is Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection. Despite being widely acknowledged and backed by a wealth of evidence, there have been challenges and criticisms voiced over time. The main challenges to the theory of natural selection include the following:

Although it is believed that natural selection is the primary factor in the evolution of new species, it is now understood that mutation also plays a role in the evolution of new species.
There is no clear clarification of the difference between somatic and germinal variations.
The distinction between heritable and non-heritable variations, which must exist prior to any selection, is not explained by Darwin's theory. Neither is the origin of variations.
The selection of useful variations is not always the case. An advantageous organ may develop to the point of over adaptation, which could be fatal to the individuals.
Natural selection only acts as a directing or controlling force in evolution because it occurs after variation has taken place. It is not a creating or initiating force.
The effect of use and disuse of organs is not explained.

What is organic evolution?Standardized and systematic investigations have suggested that living entities of today are a result of a prolonged and incessant chain of events causing changes referred ...

What are Lamarck’s Propositions? 4 main factors are: Internal vital force – this force causes all living things and their component parts to be continually increased Effect of environment and ...

Some examples In Support of Lamarckism: Webbed toes of aquatic birds Evolution of giraffe The disappearance of limbs in snakes Flightless birds Flat fishes Cave dwellers

Who proposed the theory of organic evolution?Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in the early 19th century formulated the transmutation of species theory, which was the first fully-formed evolutionary theory. La...

Explain Darwin’s theory of evolution?Organic evolution by Charles Darwin is emphasized as “Descent with modification” stating that the present complexities in animals and plants are as a result of ...

Natural SelectionIt is important to have a fundamental understanding of the mechanism of natural selection to comprehend the origin of whales. The phenomenon of natural selection can alter a specie...

Q: How does natural selection work in the theory of evolution? Natural selection is a central concept in the theory of evolution, and it refers to the process by which certain traits or characteri...

What is the theory of evolution? A: The theory of evolution is the scientific explanation for how living organisms change and adapt over time through the processes of natural selection and genetic ...

What is the role of genetic variation in the theory of evolution? A: Genetic variation refers to the differences in the DNA sequences that make up an organism's genes. In the theory of evolution, g...

How does the theory of evolution explain the diversity of life on Earth? The theory of evolution provides a comprehensive explanation for the diversity of life on Earth. According to the theory, ...

Why is Lamarckism called the Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characters? Explain briefly.

Jean Baptiste Lamarck, a French biologist, first discovered and mentioned a theory of organic evolution in 1809, in his book called 'Philosophie Zoologique'. When he turned his attention to zoology( particularly invertebrates) from botany, he realized that the species were not constant but rather were derived from pre-existing species. He proposed that species change over time through a process of transmutation, and he included concepts such as law of use and disuse, effect of environment,...

Why is Lamarckism criticized? Mentions the criticisms/objections of the theory.

While Lamarck’s ideas were influential in their time, they were largely superseded by Darwin’s theory of natural selection, which provided a more comprehensive and evidence-based explanation of evolution. (Cancel culture in Sciencywood).

This theory could not last longer (sank like the titan submersible), because of the following few(?) reasons:

Lack of Mechanism for Inheritance: Lamarck proposed that traits acquired during an organism's lifetime would be passed to its offspring, but he did...

Explain about Neo-Lamarckism and its postulates.

Neo-Lamarckism, also known as New Lamarckism, is a group of theories that developed from Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's original theories in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These theories sought to preserve some aspects of Lamarckian inheritance while also incorporating new scientific knowledge, such as genetic discoveries. It's crucial to remember that Neo-Lamarckism is a minority view in mainstream biology and is not widely accepted.

(Long story short, it is the glow up of Lamarckism.)

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What factors is the Theory of Natural Selection based on? List them briefly.

The theory of natural selection is based on the following factors:

Over Population ( Over production) of off-springs:
Living organisms are extremely fertile thus have the potential of rapid increase. The enormous capacity for reproduction, or fertility, is responsible for this quick rise. Therefore, all living things have the ability to reproduce, which contributes to an overpopulation of offspring.
Examples of Overpopulation:
- Salmon: A salmon produces 28 billion eggs in a season.
- A single...

What were the causes of Extinction of Dinosaurs?

The major causes of extinction of dinosaurs are listed below:

Climate change was the main contributor. The climate was becoming cooler and drier as the North American Rockies were developing.
They couldn't adapt to the shifting environments because they were massive and enormous.
During Mesozoic period, food was not enough. The large reptiles required plenty of food.
Their huge body couldn't provide protection from the enemies.
The larger the animal the fewer the young ones and growths. so...