Question

Write the reasons why Lamarckism is wrong.

Answer 1

Answer :

i) Lamarckian inheritance - is the hypothesis that an organism can pass on characteristics that it has acquired through use or disuse during its lifetime to its offspring.

ii) But actually genetic information cannot pass from somatic body cells to germ cells (Gametes) and on to the next generation.

iii) Biologists refer to this concept as the Weismann barrier.

iv) Weismann barrier, proposed by August Weismann, is the principle that hereditary information moves only from germline cells to somatic cells, and never in reverse

v) This idea, rules out the inheritance of acquired characteristics as proposed by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck.