The major weakness of Darwin's theory during his lifetime was:
A) the fact that populations do not promote competition, but rather sharing.
B) the lack of a mechanism to explain how traits were passed to offspring intact when most believed inheritance worked through blending.
C) the fact that at certain points in embryonic development, diverse species all have structures known as pharyngeal gill slits.
D) lack of variation in natural populations.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Darwin's theory of natural selection lacked an understanding of genetics, specifically how traits were inherited. At the time, many believed in blending inheritance, which would dilute beneficial mutations over generations, contradicting the idea of natural selection preserving advantageous traits.

The Major Weakness of Darwin's Theory During His Lifetime Was