Question

Which one cannot be explained by Darwinism?

• A. Over-specialisation
• B. Persistance of vestigal organs
• C. Occurrence of unchanged forms
• D. All the above

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

All the above

The key aspects of the theory of natural selection are rapid increase in population, struggle for existence resulting from limited food and space, Natural selection or survival of the fittest and elimination of the unfit and origin of new species. Darwinism fails to attribute the reasons for the existence of vestigial organs like vermiform appendix in human beings. These organs should have been eliminated during the progression of evolution because of its no use for long time. Another big limitation is the difference between heritable and non-heritable variations. Theory of natural selection fails to explain the origin of variation. Further, Darwin believed evolution is due to gradual variations. But in many instances, the occurrence of such variations are not of use for the struggle of existence. For example, the eye in the case of animals is functional only in a fully formed condition and all the features of the eye according to Darwin could not have come into existence at one step. It should have been by the collection of several mutations. But then each change by itself is of no advantage. Thus, the correct answer is 'All of the above.'