Tag: evolution of life

Thomas Malthus' work helped inspire Darwin to refine the natural selection by stating a reason for meaningful competition between members of the same species. Not surprisingly, Malthus, an ordained minister, believed that hunger and disease were aspects of life implemented by God to stop populations from exploding. Malthus was an influence through his book 'Essay on Population'

So, the correct answer is 'Origin of Species'

On the Origin of Species (or, more completely, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life), published on 24 November 1859, is a work of scientific literature by Charles Darwin which is considered to be the foundation of evolutionary biology.

The most important theory of general biology is the theory of evolution by natural selection. In the early 19th century Jean-Baptiste Lamarck (1744 – 1829) proposed his theory of the transmutation of species, the first fully formed theory of evolution. In 1858 Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace published a new evolutionary theory, explained in detail in Darwin's On the Origin of Species (1859).

The main concept of Darwin's theory was natural selection. Other main points were High rate of reproduction, Total number almost constant, Struggle for existence, Variations, Survival of the fittest. It didn't had genetic drift. Hence, option C is correct.

In 1868, Darwin put forward the Theory of Pangenesis. According to this theory, every organ of the body produces minute hereditary particles, called gemmules or Pangenes, and they can be carried through the blood into the gametes. It laid emphasis on some basis of inheritance. Hence, Option A is correct. 

The main features of Darwin's theory of Natural Selection are as follows - 

The inheritance of acquired characters is the core of Lamarckism, not Darwinism. Darwin focused on natural selection acting on existing variations.

One of the major drawbacks of Darwin's theory is the absence of knowledge on inheritance. The genetic basis of evolution, cause of variations was not included in Darwin's 'Origin of Species'. It was only after the discovery of genes and traits by Mendel, genetics could be associated with evolution.

The small black birds found on Galapagos islands, which later came to be known as Darwin's finches were originally adapted with seed-eating features. From these many other forms evolved with altered beaks depending on the food habit. This enabled them to become insectivorous and vegetarian finches.