Which scenario would be a modern example of Lamarckianism?
A) A strain of houseflies resistant to insecticides emerges.
B) Squirrels separated by a river are found to be unable to interbreed.
C) A son is born with a portion of his right index finger missing-the same portion that was severed from his father's hand in an accident.
D) A species of lizards shows changes in diet and body shape after being moved to a nearby island.
E) Snails are found to have thicker shells after the introduction of a predator.

Question

Which scenario would be a modern example of Lamarckianism?  
A) A strain of houseflies resistant to insecticides emerges.
B) Squirrels separated by a river are found to be unable to interbreed.
C) A son is born with a portion of his right index finger missing-the same portion that was severed from his father's hand in an accident.
D) A species of lizards shows changes in diet and body shape after being moved to a nearby island.
E) Snails are found to have thicker shells after the introduction of a predator.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lamarckianism proposes that traits acquired during an organism's lifetime can be passed down to its offspring. In this scenario, the father's missing portion of the index finger is an acquired trait that is passed down to the son. This is a key aspect of Lamarckianism, making option C the correct answer. The other options are better explained by other theories such as natural selection (options A, D, and E) and reproductive isolation (option B).

Which Scenario Would Be a Modern Example of Lamarckianism