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Difference between Darwinism and Lamarckism: The change in the heritable characteristics occurring in the population over successive generations for a specified period is known as Evolution. Various types of theories have been made on the evolutionary mechanism of the organisms. Among them Darwinism and Lamarckism are the two popular ones that came into existence. The theory of Darwinism is based on the concept of natural selection whereas Lamarckism is of passing the characteristics of an organism from one generation to another. Before discussing the differences between the two, let's first understand what is Darwinism and Lamarckism.
Also Read: How do Organisms Reproduce?
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What is Darwinism?
The theory of Darwinism was developed by an English Naturalist Charles Darwin (1809-1082). The Darwinism theory talks about the biological evolution of organisms. According to this theory, the development of a living organism who belongs to a particular species, occurs through a process which is known as natural selection.
For example, the mutation that is inherited by an organism to get naturally selected or eliminated is based on the variations such as favourable or unfavourable. Below are some of the facts about Darwinism.
- The evolution theory of Darwin or Darwinism says that the species is being developed by the interbreeding of a particular population which later on is developed into a fertile individual.
- They are the descendants of their previous generations along with some modifications in their bodies or genetics.
- Darwinism explains a clear understanding of the evolution of species, that the rate of origination of an organism is greater than the rate of survival due to the limitation of natural resources.
Also Read: Living Fossils
What is Lamarckism?
Lamarckism was proposed by a French biologist named Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. He states that an organism passed its acquired characteristics to the new generation. It could also be called the soft inheritance or heritability of acquired characteristics.
The theory of evolution consists of two ideas about natural selection: The theory of use and disuse which says that an individual loses an unwanted characteristic and adapts the useful one in them and the theory of acquired traits says that an individual inherits the traits of their previous generations or ancestors.
Similarity between Darwinism and Lamarckism
There are no such similarities between both the concepts however both follow the concepts of the theory of evolution.
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Difference between Darwinism and Lamarckism
Darwinism suggests that all the species arise and develop by natural selection of small and hereditary variations, whereas Lamarckism is based on new desires that generate new structures and changes in organisms habits over time. Here are some of the key differences between Lamarckism and Darwinism.
| Lamarckism | Darwinism |
|---|---|
| This concept was developed by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. | This theory was invented by Charles Darwin. |
| It suggests that the organisms can pass their acquired characteristics to their offspring. | It states that the origination and development of an organism should be created through the process of natural selection. |
| It mainly occurs due to the theory of use and disuse. | This occurred due to the continuous variations of organisms |
| This theory is not based on the theory of survival of the fittest. | It follows the theory of survival of the fittest. |
| Example: The long neck of a giraffe. | Example: Keen eyesight of a hawk. |
Things to remember
- Most biologists analyses the theory of survival of the fittest which supports the theory of evolution.
- The Theory of Lamarckism focuses more on the use of the disuse system which means that the characteristics can be passed to the future generation.
- According to Charles Darwin, each generation will be developed by some modifications that enhance their ability to compete, survive and reproduce in the environment.
- The theory of Darwinism does not believe in the internal vital force explained by Lamarckism whereas Lamarckism could not accept the theory of evolution.
- Darwinism follows the theory of survival of the fittest.
- Lamarckism is based on the fact that the organisms can pass their acquired characteristics to their offspring.
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Important Questions
Ques: What is the main difference between Lamarckism and Darwinism? (1 Mark)
Ans: The main difference between the two is that Darwinism only follows the theory of survival of the fittest whereas Lamarckism was not based on survival of the fittest.
Ques: What is use and disuse theory? (2 Marks)
Ans: The use and disuse theory says that the parts of a living thing or an animal that they use most will go through hypertrophy and will turn out to be more evolved. So, it can be concluded that the more a living being uses a part of its body, the bigger and more fostered that part will turn into.
Ques: What do you mean by Hardy Weinberg’s principle? (2 Marks)
Ans: This principle states that the allele frequencies in a population are steady and are consistent from one age to another, for example, genetic supply is steady.
Ques: How did Darwin disprove Lamarck's theory? (2 Marks)
Ans: The Lamarck theory of Inheritance of an acquired characteristics has been disproved due to the study of genetics. It was disproved because Darwin believed that traits can be passed on, but he never understood how they are passed on.
Ques: What are the facts on which the theory of natural selection is based? (3 Marks)
Ans. The theory of natural selection is based on three different factors which are given below
- Limited natural resources.
- Varying characteristics in the members of a population
- Variations are generally inherited.
Ques. What are three concepts on which Lamarck's theories are based on? (3 Marks)
Ans. Lamarck proposed his theory on three concepts which are-
- Inheritance of acquired characters
- Use and disuse
- Increase in complexity
Ques: Explain how the mutation concept of Hugo de Vries is different from the Darwinian variations? (3 Marks)
Ans: Hugo de Vries set forth a thought that enormous contrasts emerge suddenly in the population. He accepted that it is mutation which causes evolution and not the minor varieties that Darwin discussed.
Mutations are irregular and directionless, while Darwinian varieties are regular and directional. Mutation was slow for Darwin, while de Vries accepted mutation caused speciation and subsequently called it saltation (single step enormous change).
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