Question

In forming the theory of evolution by natural selection, Darwin was greatly influenced by

• A. Mutations of Hugo de Vries
• B. Malthus's idea of population control
• C. Environmental factors
• D. Lamarck acquired characters

Answer 1

The correct option is B Malthus's idea of population control

Darwin was impressed by Malthus's ideas. Malthus was a clergyman and economist, who wrote an essay "Principle of population as it affects future improvement of society". In this essay Malthus stated that populations can increase geometrically, while food supply can increase arithmetically only. Hence the conflict between population growth and food supply is responsible for famine, disease and war.