Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection,as presented in his The Origin of Species,presupposed the existence of
A) variable psychological characteristics in human beings.
B) several fixed groups of species.
C) inheritable small individual differences.
D) genes as hereditary units.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Darwin's theory presupposed the presence of small individual differences that could be passed down from one generation to the next through heredity. These differences could then be accentuated or reduced by the selective pressures of the external environment. Darwin did not have knowledge of genes as we understand them today, but he did recognize the importance of heredity in the transmission of traits from one generation to the next.

Charles Darwin's Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection,as Presented in His