Evolution Question 96
96. Weismann cut off tails of mice generation after generation but tails neither disappeared nor shortened showing that
[1993]
(a) Darwin was correct
(b) Tail is an essential organ
(c) Mutation theory is wrong
(d) Lamarckism was wrong in inheritance of acquired characters.
Show Answer
Answer : d
Hints & Solution
(d) August Weismann, tested Lamarck’s theory in 1904 by cutting off the tails of mice for 22 generations yet he failed to get tailless mouse. On the basis of the test he put forward the theory “continuity of germ plasm”. According to him the character influencing the germ cells (reproductive) are inherited. Change in somatic cells are not transmitted to the next generations. Hugo de Vries proposed “Mutation theory”.
