Question

According to Hugo de Vries, prominent features of mutation theory are as follows, except
I. All mutations are inheritable
II. Mutation appears randomly and all of a sudden
III. Mutations or discontinuous variations are the raw material of evolution
IV. Mutations appear in specific and predetermined directions

• A. I and IV
• B. II only
• C. II and III
• D. IV only

Answer 1

The correct option is D IV only

Hugo de Vries was a Dutch botanist, who worked in the field of heredity and its relation to the origin of species. He also brought the earlier work of Mendel to the attention of the scientific community.

His idea of the origin of species is different from that of Darwin's. According to him, new species are not formed by the continuous variations but by sudden appearance of variation by means of mutation.

New types of inherited characteristics may appear suddenly without any previous indication of their presence in the race; it is neither specific nor determined.

Variation is the raw material for evolution and mutation is the source of variation which makes evolution possible. Mutations occur in the genetic material and hence are inheritable to the next generations.