Question

The theory of natural selection was given by
(a) Lamarck
(b) Darwin
(c) Von Bear
(d) Wallace

Answer 1

Hint: The theory of natural selection was given by a biologist who is the author of the book ‘On the origin of species.’ Reproductive fitness, as considered significant by him, is named after him. He spoke of survival of the fittest in nature.

Complete answer:
After going through the hint, we can say that the theory of natural selection was given by Darwin.
Conventional literature tells us about the theory of special creation. This theory has three connotations. But all these ideas were strongly challenged during the nineteenth century.
Based on observations made during a sea voyage around the world, Charles Darwin concluded that:
- There has been a gradual and evident evolution of life forms.
- Any population has some built-in variations in its characteristics. Those characteristics which enable
some organisms to survive better in natural conditions (climate, food, physical factors, etc.) would outbreed other characteristics that are less advantageous to survival under such natural conditions.
- Darwin regards ‘fitness’ ultimately and only to reproductive fitness.
- Hence, those who are better and fit in an environment, leave more progeny than others. These, therefore, will survive longer and hence are selected by nature.
He called it the theory of ‘natural selection’ and implied it as a mechanism of evolution.
An interesting observation supporting evolution by natural selection comes from England. In the 1850s, before industrialization, more white-winged moths were observed than dark-winged moths. After industrialization that is around 1920, the population of melanised moths increased. An explanation for this was given that light winged moths can be easily spotted by predators against the dark background caused due to pollution and smoke.
So, the correct answer is ‘Darwin.’

Note: - Melanised moths are dark-winged moths.
- A naturalist working in the Malay Archipelago, Alfred Wallace had also come to similar conclusions around the same time as Darwin.
- Reproductive fitness is also called Darwinian fitness.
- Before the Darwinian times, Lamarck, a French naturalist had said that evolution of life forms had occurred but driven by use and disuse of organs.