Asked by Cherry Recuero on Jul 17, 2024

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Lamarck's ideas on evolution were adopted by some Russian scientists, including Lysenko. Russian textbooks printed Lysenko's assertion that workmen who develop strong muscles from working in the mines would produce children who would be born stronger. Which of the major elements of evolution by natural selection is violated by this assertion?

A) Organisms vary in traits.
B) Acquired characteristics are inherited.
C) More young are born than can survive.
D) Some individuals are better adapted to the environment.
E) The environment selects for phenotype.

Acquired Characteristics

Traits that are gained by an organism after birth as a result of external influences or its own actions, not inherited genetically.

Lysenko

A controversial figure in the history of Soviet biology, Trofim Lysenko rejected Mendelian genetics in favor of his own agricultural theories, leading to widespread agricultural disaster.

Natural Selection

A fundamental mechanism of evolution where organisms better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce.

  • Acquire an understanding of the consequences associated with specific theories of evolution and concepts from history.
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RM
Richard MyersJul 18, 2024
Final Answer :
B
Explanation :
Lamarckian evolution is based on the inheritance of acquired characteristics, which is now known to be incorrect. This directly violates the principle that acquired characteristics are not inherited, which is a fundamental concept of modern evolutionary theory.