Which of the following theories was NOT considered by Darwin in his evolutionary theory?
Answer Details
The theory of "Use and Disuse" was not considered by Charles Darwin in his evolutionary theory. This theory was proposed by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, a French biologist who lived before Darwin. Lamarck's theory stated that traits developed during an organism's lifetime could be passed down to its offspring. For example, a giraffe's neck would become longer over time as the giraffe stretched its neck to reach higher leaves, and this longer neck would be passed down to its offspring.
In contrast, Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection emphasized the role of variation, competition, and survival of the fittest in driving evolution. Darwin observed that individuals within a population vary in their traits, and that some of these traits are more advantageous in a given environment. Those individuals with advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing their advantageous traits on to their offspring. Over time, this process of natural selection can lead to the evolution of new species.