Question

Presence of gill slits in the embryo of human supports which theory?

• A. Theory of biogenesis
• B. Theory of recapitulation
• C. Theory of metamorphosis
• D. Theory of organic evolution

Answer 1

The correct option is B Theory of recapitulation

All veretebrate embryos have gill slits. This supports the theory of recapitulation or the biogenetic law, which states that 'ontogeny repeats (recapitulates) phylogeny. This phrase was given by Ernst Haeckal. It means that ontogeny or development of an organisms exhibits the characteristic forms of its ancestors throughout evolution (phylogeny).

Theoty of biogenesis was proposed by Robert Virchow, according to which all life forms arise from pre existing ones. This is not to be confused with the Biogenetic law.