Question

In the embryonic development of the avian heart, it is observed that it passes through two chambered fish like hearts, three chambered frogs like heart and finally four chambered stages. This hypothesis is directed to which of the following options?

• A. Theory of special creation
• B. Theory of panspermia
• C. Biogenetic law
• D. Theory of chemical evolution

Answer 1

The correct option is C Biogenetic law

The Biogenetic law or Recapitulation theory was given by Ernst Haeckel in 1866. It states that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny. Ontogeny is the embryonic developmental history of an organism while phylogeny is the evolutionary history of an organism. This means that an organism repeats its ancestral history during its embryonic development. Hence, in the embryonic development of the avian heart, it is observed that it passes through a fish-like two chambered heart, then three chambered heart like frogs and finally attains the four chambered stage.


Theory of special creation believes that life was created by a supernatural power. The greatest supporter of this theory was Father Saurez.

Panspermia theory states that spores migrated from outer space to the Earth which gave rise to the prevailing life forms. These spores were considered as the units of life.

Modern theory of origin of life (chemical evolution) was proposed by Oparin and Haldane. It states that inorganic constituents in the primitive earth underwent certain chemical reactions that led to the formation of organic molecules which gradually organised themselves to form simple, unicellular organisms.