AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Other theories, including that of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, are based mainly…
Full specification wording
Theory of evolution (biology only): Other theories, including that of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, are based mainly on the idea that changes that occur in an organism during its lifetime can be inherited.
Lamarck's theory of evolution proposed that characteristics acquired during an organism's lifetime could be inherited by its offspring.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 7 of 8
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Lamarck's theory of evolution proposed that characteristics acquired during an organism's lifetime could be inherited by its offspring. For example, if a giraffe stretched its neck to reach high leaves, Lamarck suggested the lengthened neck would be passed on, so each generation would have a slightly longer neck. This differs from Darwin's theory of natural selection, in which variation already exists and individuals with favourable inherited characteristics are more likely to survive and reproduce. Lamarck's idea is not supported by modern genetics because changes acquired during life, such as muscle growth or scars, generally do not alter the inherited material passed to offspring.
What earns the marks
- State that Lamarck's theory is based mainly on the idea that changes occurring in an organism during its lifetime can be inherited.
- Describe the classic example of the giraffe's neck being stretched during life and the lengthened neck being passed on.
- Contrast Lamarck's idea with Darwin's theory of natural selection, where inherited variation already exists in the population.
- Explain that acquired characteristics are generally not inherited because they do not change the inherited material passed to offspring.
- Use a second example, such as a blacksmith developing strong muscles, to show why acquired changes are not passed on.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that Lamarck's theory is the same as Darwin's theory.
Put it right: Lamarck proposed inheritance of acquired characteristics, while Darwin proposed natural selection acting on existing variation.
Claiming that acquired characteristics are always inherited.
Put it right: Changes during life generally do not alter the inherited material passed to offspring.
Describing Lamarck's theory as disproved by Darwin personally.
Put it right: It was not supported by later understanding of inheritance and genetics.
Exam tips
- Use the giraffe example to make the difference between Lamarck and Darwin clear in one sentence.
- Include the phrase 'changes during its lifetime' to show you know the key feature of Lamarck's theory.
- When comparing theories, state one similarity and one difference to structure your answer.
Try the lesson
The start of the Theory of evolution (biology only): Other theories, including that of Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, are based mainly on the idea that changes that occur in an organism during its lifetime can be inherited. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
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What was the main idea behind Jean-Baptiste Lamarck's theory of evolution?
Listen
Lamarck's theory of evolution proposed that characteristics acquired during an organism's lifetime could be inherited by its offspring. For example, if a giraffe stretched its neck to reach high leaves, Lamarck suggested the lengthened neck would be passed on, so each generation would have a slightly longer neck. This differs from Darwin's theory of natural selection, in which variation already exists and individuals with favourable inherited characteristics are more likely to survive and reproduce. Lamarck's idea is not supported by modern genetics because changes acquired during life, such as muscle growth or scars, generally do not alter the inherited material passed to offspring. A strong answer earns marks for these points. State that Lamarck's theory is based mainly on the idea that changes occurring in an organism during its lifetime can be inherited. Describe the classic example of the giraffe's neck being stretched during life and the lengthened neck being passed on. Contrast Lamarck's idea with Darwin's theory of natural selection, where inherited variation already exists in the population. Explain that acquired characteristics are generally not inherited because they do not change the inherited material passed to offspring. A common slip: Stating that Lamarck's theory is the same as Darwin's theory. Instead, Lamarck proposed inheritance of acquired characteristics, while Darwin proposed natural selection acting on existing variation. Exam tip: Use the giraffe example to make the difference between Lamarck and Darwin clear in one sentence.
Key words
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Inheritance of acquired characteristics
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Natural selection
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Evidence and genetics
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See every definition
- Inheritance of acquired characteristics
- The idea that changes that occur in an organism during its lifetime can be inherited.
- Natural selection
- Darwin's theory in which variation already exists and individuals with favourable inherited characteristics are more likely to survive and reproduce.
- Evidence and genetics
- Modern genetics does not support Lamarck's idea because changes acquired during life generally do not alter the inherited material passed to offspring.
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