Question

The Haeckel's theory of biogenetic law means that:

• A. All organisms start as an egg.
• B. Life history of an organism reflects the evolutionary history.
• C. Non-living matter form life.
• D. Progeny resembles parents.

Answer 1

The correct option is B Life history of an organism reflects the evolutionary history.

Zygote (product of fusion of male and female gamete) is the first cell of all organisms which divides and differentiates to form multicellular organisms. This makes option A incorrect.

Haeckel proposed biogenetic law which states that ontogeny repeats phylogeny. Here, ontogeny refers to life history of an individual and phylogeny is the history of evolution of the individual. Therefore, all organisms recapitulate evolutionary history of their race in abbreviated form during their development. Option B is correct.

First step in origin of life was chemogenesis i.e., synthesis of organic compounds from inorganic elements and primitive gases in primitive ocean which then served as monomer for formation of complex organic compounds. Chemogeny was followed by origin of protocells from macromolecular aggregates and then formation of first living cell. Option C is incorrect.

Transmission of genetic characters from parents to offspring is known as inheritance which in turn is the basis for resemblance of offspring and parents. Option D is incorrect.

Therefore, the correct answer is option B.