🌿 Theories of Evolution: Lamarckism MCQ

Samim Miya

🌱 Introduction

Lamarckism is a theory of evolution proposed by Jean Baptiste Lamarck. It explains that organisms change over time due to environmental needs and pass those acquired changes to their offspring.

According to this theory, evolution occurs through the use and disuse of organs and inheritance of acquired characters.

⚙️ Main Principles of Lamarckism

Use and Disuse of Organs: Frequently used organs develop more, unused organs degenerate.
Inheritance of Acquired Characters: Traits acquired during lifetime are passed to offspring.
Internal Vital Force: Organisms have an internal drive to become more complex.
Effect of Environment: Environmental changes lead to adaptation in organisms.

🦒 Example

The classic example is the giraffe’s neck. Lamarck suggested that giraffes stretched their necks to reach higher leaves. Over generations, this acquired trait became inherited, leading to long-necked giraffes.

❌ Limitations of Lamarckism

Acquired characters are not genetically inherited.
Weak experimental evidence.
Fails to explain complex evolutionary changes.
Rejected after modern genetics discoveries.

            Today, Lamarckism is considered historically important but scientifically outdated.
        

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1. Assertion (A): Lamarck proposed inheritance of acquired characters.
Reason (R): Changes acquired during lifetime are always genetic.

A and R true, R explains A A and R true, R not explanation A true, R false A false, R true

2. Lamarckism fails primarily because:

Environment has no role Acquired traits are not inherited Organisms do not adapt Variation does not exist

3. Which is closest to Lamarck’s idea of evolution?

Natural selection Use and disuse Genetic mutation Random drift

4. In Lamarckism, giraffe neck elongation is due to:

Random mutation Natural selection Repeated stretching Genetic recombination

5. Which statement is incorrect about Lamarckism?

It involves adaptation It assumes directed evolution It is fully supported by genetics It emphasizes environment

6. Which experiment disproved Lamarckism?

Mendel’s pea experiment Darwin’s finches Weismann’s tail-cutting Pasteur’s flask

7. Lamarck assumed evolution is:

Random Progressive and directed Static Cyclic

8. Which is NOT a limitation of Lamarckism?

No genetic basis No experimental proof Explains acquired traits Contradicts Mendelian genetics

9. Lamarck’s theory assumes variation is:

Random Induced by need Neutral Harmful

10. Use and disuse principle states:

Organs shrink if used Organs develop with use Organs remain constant Organs mutate randomly

11. Lamarck’s theory is closest to:

Epigenetics (partial) Mendelian inheritance Hardy-Weinberg law Genetic drift

12. Which example contradicts Lamarckism?

Bodybuilding parents → muscular child Tattoo → inherited Tail cutting in mice → no effect Practice → skill improvement

13. Lamarck ignored:

Environment Mutation Heredity mechanism Adaptation

14. Which pair is correctly matched?

Lamarck – Natural selection Darwin – Use & disuse Lamarck – Acquired inheritance Mendel – Evolution theory

15. Evolution according to Lamarck depends on:

Chance Need-based change Selection pressure Genetic drift

16. Major flaw of Lamarckism:

No adaptation No mechanism of inheritance No organisms evolve No environment role

17. Lamarckism is partially revived in:

Mutation theory Epigenetics Natural selection Isolation

18. Assertion (A): Lamarck’s theory assumes environment directly induces heritable change.
Reason (R): Environment can alter gene sequence permanently.

A and R true, R explains A A and R true, R not explanation A true, R false A false, R true

19. Which situation would Lamarck most strongly support?

Random mutation in bacteria Development of antibiotic resistance by need Genetic recombination Genetic drift in small populations

20. Lamarckism fails to explain:

Adaptive changes Role of environment Genetic inheritance mechanism Survival

21. Assertion (A): Acquired traits can sometimes influence offspring.
Reason (R): Epigenetic modifications can be inherited.

A and R true, R explains A A and R true, R not explanation A true, R false A false, R true

22. Which assumption of Lamarck is scientifically weakest?

Use and disuse Inheritance of acquired traits Environmental influence Adaptation

23. If Lamarckism were true, which would occur?

Athletes produce athletic children always Only random variation exists Natural selection dominates No inheritance occurs

24. Lamarckism predicts evolution is:

Non-directional Directed and purposeful Random and neutral Discontinuous

25. Assertion (A): Lamarck emphasized internal drive for perfection.
Reason (R): Organisms evolve due to random mutations.

A and R true, R explains A A and R true, R not explanation A true, R false A false, R true

26. Which contradicts Lamarck most strongly?

Tail cutting in mice Environmental adaptation Organ development Variation

27. Lamarckism cannot explain:

Why useless organs persist Adaptation to environment Change in form Variation in species

28. Assertion (A): Lamarck’s theory was rejected after Mendel’s work.
Reason (R): Mendelian genetics disproved acquired inheritance.

A and R true, R explains A A and R true, R not explanation A true, R false A false, R true

29. Lamarck assumed need creates:

Mutation Variation Selection Extinction

30. Which best highlights Lamarck’s limitation?

No genetic mechanism No environment role No adaptation No variation

31. Assertion (A): Lamarckism supports gradual evolution.
Reason (R): Evolution occurs due to sudden mutations.

A and R true, R explains A A and R true, R not explanation A true, R false A false, R true

32. Lamarckism vs Darwinism difference lies mainly in:

Mutation vs recombination Acquired traits vs natural selection Genetic drift vs isolation Population vs gene pool

33. Lamarck’s theory is closest to which modern concept?

Epigenetic inheritance Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium Genetic drift Mutation pressure

34. Which is the strongest criticism of Lamarckism?

No survival concept No genetic basis for acquired traits No evolution occurs No species exist

35. Assertion (A): Lamarck’s theory assumes organisms consciously adapt.
Reason (R): Adaptation occurs due to internal drive.

A and R true, R explains A A and R true, R not explanation A true, R false A false, R true

36. Which example is least compatible with Lamarckism?

Blacksmith → strong arms Tail cutting inheritance Giraffe neck elongation Organ use strengthening

37. Lamarck’s theory incorrectly assumes:

Organisms respond to environment Acquired traits are heritable Adaptation exists Evolution occurs

38. Assertion (A): Lamarckism lacks molecular explanation.
Reason (R): DNA was unknown at that time.

A and R true, R explains A A and R true, R not explanation A true, R false A false, R true

39. Lamarckism suggests change is:

Sudden Need-driven Random Neutral

40. Which modern concept partly resembles Lamarckism?

Mutation theory Epigenetic inheritance Genetic drift Natural selection

41. Lamarckism fails to explain persistence of:

Adapted organs Vestigial organs Active organs Functional traits

42. Assertion (A): Lamarck emphasized gradual change.
Reason (R): Evolution occurs due to sudden mutations.

A and R true, R explains A A and R true, R not explanation A true, R false A false, R true

43. Lamarckism assumes environment acts:

Indirectly via selection Directly on traits Not at all Only genetically

44. Which statement is MOST incorrect?

Lamarck proposed acquired inheritance Lamarck recognized adaptation Lamarck explained genetic mutation Lamarck emphasized environment

45. Lamarck’s concept of “need” is closest to:

Selection pressure Directed change Random variation Neutral mutation

46. Assertion (A): Lamarckism assumes continuous variation.
Reason (R): Evolution is gradual.

A and R true, R explains A A and R true, R not explanation A true, R false A false, R true

47. Lamarckism cannot explain variation because:

It ignores mutation It ignores environment It ignores adaptation It ignores organisms

48. Which is closest criticism?

No survival No heredity mechanism No species No adaptation

49. Lamarck’s theory assumes inheritance is:

Genetic Environmental Acquired Random

50. Final limitation of Lamarckism:

No organisms No evolution No genetic proof No adaptation

Published by Samim Miya

Founder of CEE Nexus. I share high-quality medical entrance prep resources to help Nepalese students succeed.

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🌿 Theories of Evolution: Lamarckism MCQ

Theories of Evolution: Lamarckism

🌱 Introduction

⚙️ Main Principles of Lamarckism

🦒 Example

❌ Limitations of Lamarckism

Published by Samim Miya

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