Question

The theory of evolution of species by natural selection was given by

• A. Mendel
• B. Darwin
• C. Morgan
• D. Lamarck

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Darwin

The correct option is option B.

Explanation of the correct option:

1. The theory of evolution of species by natural selection was given by Charles Darwin and is considered the main theory of evolution.
2. This theory states that nature selects the individuals out of the population who are fit (with useful variations and are best adapted to the environment)and the unfit individuals are rejected.
3. This postulate is also termed survival of fittest, nature selects the fittest organism while the unfit organisms are rejected by nature.

Explanation of the incorrect options:

Option A:

1. Gregor Mendel was the first to discover the basic principles of inheritance (transmission of characters from parents to their offspring) by conducting several experiments on pea plants (Pisum sativum).
2. He gave three laws of inheritance.
3. His work was not recognized by anyone till the 1900 century but later botanists Hugo de Vries, Erich von Tschrmark, and Carl correns conducted similar experiments and got similar results as Mendel got.
4. After a few years of his death, his work on pea plants was considered the basics of genetics.

Option C:

1. Thomas Morgan did experiments on Drosophila ( fruit flies ) to verify the ideas of the chromosomal theory.
2. He gave the concept of linkage, and recombination by performing various experiments on fruit flies.

Option D:

1. Lamarck was a French naturalist who gave the theory of Lamarckism which states that an organism acquires new characters due to direct and indirect effects during its lifespan, termed acquired characters.

Final Answer: the theory of evolution of species by natural selection was given by Darwin.