Question

If an organ is used, it gets developed and if an organ is not used, it gets reduced. It was given by

• A. Darwin
• B. Hugo de Vries
• C. Lamark
• D. Miller

Answer 1

The correct option is C Lamark

If an organ is used, it gets developed and if an organ is not used, it gets reduced. It was given by Lamarck. This is known as "Use and Disuse theory".

The classic example used to explain the concept of use and disuse is the elongated neck of the giraffe. According to Lamarck's theory, a given giraffe could, over a lifetime of straining to reach high branches, develop an elongated neck. A major downfall of his theory was that he could not explain how this might happen, though he discussed a "natural tendency toward perfection." Another example Lamarck used was the toes of water birds. He proposed that from years of straining their toes to swim through water, these birds gained elongated, webbed toes to better their swimming.

These two examples demonstrate how use could change a trait. Lamarck believed that disuse would cause a trait to become reduced. The wings of penguins, for example, would be smaller than those of other birds because penguins do not use them to fly.