Question

How would Lamarckism explain why the giraffe has a long neck?

A. A giraffe's neck grows as it stretches to reach food, and this trait gets passed on to offspring.
B. Giraffes with long necks survive to reproduce at higher rates.
C. Giraffes have always had long necks because species do not change.
D. All short-necked giraffes went extinct because of a natural disaster.

Answer 1

According to Lamarckism, the giraffe's long neck is a result of individuals stretching their necks to reach higher food, with this acquired characteristic being passed down to offspring.

Step-by-step explanation:

Lamarckism would explain the long neck of a giraffe through the principle that physical changes acquired over an individual's lifetime could be passed on to its offspring. Specifically, Lamarck suggested that a giraffe's neck could become longer as it stretches repeatedly to reach food higher up in trees, and this acquired trait would then be inherited by its progeny. This hypothesis implies a purposeful evolution aimed at improving an organism's adaptation to its environment.