Question

If you believe a giraffe's neck evolved slowly, steadily, and constantly over many generations, which evolutionary theorist would agree with you?

Answer 1

Darwin??

Answer 2

I believe it is Darwin as well.

Answer 3

im pretty sure its Charles Darwin....

Answer 4

Yep. it's def. Charles Darwin

Answer 5

i've got the same question too! :D @tanner_098

Answer 6

This is a conceptual different that is pretty important to learn, as it will probably pop up again and again in your educational future.

There were many people who contributed the science behind evolution; however, the two that most commonly are brought up as examples are Lamarck and Darwin. Darwin is the evolutionist who supported the theory of evolution that most people think of today. This is that evolution occurs over many generations as different traits are selected for and genetically passed on to offspring.

Lamarck had suggested a form of evolution that is sometimes known as Use-Disuse evolution. Traits that are used grow stronger or more distinct and are passed on to offspring.

The most common example used to illustrate this is the giraffe example. Darwinism would suggest that the giraffes live in an environment where those individuals with longer necks are better able to survive and pass on their genes. As the generations progress, there are more giraffes who have longer neck.

Lamarckism would suggest that at some point the giraffes had to stretch their necks to reach the high foliage. Since they stretched their necks longer, those longer necks will be passed on to their offspring.

Lamarck was (mostly) incorrect in this thought, but was still a great contributor to the science behind evolution. (I say mostly because of the science behind epi-genetic traits, but that is a bit more advanced..and not something that most people are ever going to be concerned about in their day to day lives)