Jean-Baptiste Lamarck published the first modern theory of evolution. He theorised that
A) natural selection allowed the inheritance of adaptive characteristics.
B) traits acquired during the lifetime of an organism are inherited by subsequent generations.
C) mutation provides the variation that allows evolution.
D) divergence of inherited characteristics occurs after the isolation of populations.
E) natural selection was due to environmental changes.

Question

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Jean-Baptiste Lamarck is best known for his theory that traits acquired during the lifetime of an organism (such as muscles developed from regular use or characteristics adapted to a particular environment) could be inherited by its offspring. This concept, often summarized as "use and disuse," was one of the early attempts to explain how species change over time, predating Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.

Jean-Baptiste Lamarck Published the First Modern Theory of Evolution