Evolution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Evolution - Essay Example The Theory of Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics put forward by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in 1809 states that modifications acquired during one’s lifetime are inherited by the next generation. â€Å"Ex. giraffes acquired a long neck slowly over time as each generation of giraffe stretched its neck slightly longer in trying to reach leaves high in trees† (Principles of Evolution, n. d). Lamarck’s theory seems to be in agreement with the Darwinian Theory which states that evolution produces life forms adapted to their environments. However, Lamarck argued that the organism itself can control the direction of change whereas Darwin did not agree with that postulate. â€Å"For a long time it was mistakenly thought that evolution was a simple linear progression, with humankind at the top of the ladder. We now understand that evolution proceeds with species on one branch giving rise to other branches and so on† (What is evolution?, n. d). We have lot of animals in this world which like the leaves in big trees. For example, elephants, cattle etc like the leaves of some big trees. However, these animals do not have such a big neck like the giraffes. These animals also should have tried a lot in the past to reach out the higher branches of the trees. But they never got their neck extended just like giraffes.