Final answer:
Darwin's shipboard experiments demonstrated thanatomimesis, which occurs when a live animal deliberately appears to be dead in order to avoid being killed.
The answer is option ⇒b
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the student's question is option b. Thanatomimesis is a behavioral adaptation seen in some animals as a defense mechanism, where they mimic death to prevent predation. This form of behavior is also known as 'playing possum' and can be observed in a variety of species.
One must not confuse this behavior with spontaneous generation, which was a belief that life could arise from non-living matter, disproven by scientists such as Francesco Redi and Louis Pasteur. Similarly, the behavior should not be mistaken for galvanic stimulation, an experimental process where electricity is used to stimulate muscles, as investigated by Luigi Galvani and later developed by Alessandro Volta through his work on the battery.
Charles Darwin is best known for his contributions to the theory of evolution and the concept of natural selection. During his voyage on the HMS Beagle, Darwin made numerous observations that contributed to his ideas on evolution, which contrast with the concept of spontaneous generation, still believed by some during his time.
The answer is option ⇒b