Question

Who is called the father of modern embryology?
A. Ernst Haeckel
B. Aristotle
C. Von Baer
D. Dollo

Answer 1

Hint: Embryology is the branch of science that deals with the study of gametes, fertilization, embryo. Embryology stems from the ideas of Charles Darwin. However, the contribution of many other scientists has led to the modern embryological approach.

Complete step by step answer: Charles Darwin concluded from his studies of embryological evidence that relationships between groups of living organisms can be deduced from common embryonic and larval structures.
However, the modern approach to embryology is based on the studies of Karl Ernst von Baer – distinguished German scientist. His major contribution to embryology is discovering the blastula and development of notochord. These studies laid down Baer's laws of Embryology and the germ layer theory of development. These laws helped him study the stages of development of the embryo and laid the foundation of modern embryology. Owing to these, Karl Ernst von Baer is known as the Father of modern Embryology.
Ernst Haeckel was a renowned zoologist. He was from Germany. He named and identified numerous zoological species. Haeckel was a staunch supporter of Charles Darwin and popularized Social Darwinism in Germany. He was the first scientist to lay down the idea that a kingdom called Protista might exist.
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and a pupil of Plato. His writings and study cover many branches of modern physics, chemistry, zoology, politics, economics, etc.
Louis Dollo was a Belgian scientist who studied dinosaurs. He proposed Dollo’s Law which states that evolution is irreversible. Dollo worked in the field of paleobiology and worked with dinosaur fossils. He was the first to state the importance of fossils as a part of the ecosystem.
Therefore, we can conclude, based on the above discussion that Karl Ernst von Baer is the ‘father of modern embryology’.
Hence, option (c) is correct.

Note: Modern embryological approach is based on the discovery of mammalian ova by Karl Ernst von Baer. Discovery of the mammalian ova laid the foundation of the germ cell theory by Baer which helped us to study the developmental stages of blastula and the embryo. Baer laid down the laws of Embryology that has formed the base of modern embryology.