Which of the following observations would provide evidence supporting Lamarck's proposed evolutionary mechanism of "inheritance of acquired characteristics"?
A) a decrease in tail length in dogs after 20 generations of dogs that had their tails docked (cut off) as puppies
B) an increase in the length of giraffes' necks after trees in the area decreased in height
C) a decrease in the size of the tails of salamanders in a population that immigrated into a cave 20 generations earlier
D) an increase in average speed of deer on an island when the amount of food increased

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lamarck's theory of "inheritance of acquired characteristics" suggests that traits acquired during an organism's lifetime can be passed on to its offspring. The observation of a decrease in tail length in dogs after generations of tail docking would support this idea, as it implies that the acquired trait (shorter tails due to docking) is inherited by subsequent generations.

Which of the Following Observations Would Provide Evidence Supporting Lamarck's