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BIO NMDCAT Lamarckism
nmdcat.online July 14, 2026

During a field study, a biologist observes a blind cave fish with degenerate eyes. How would Lamarck explain the evolutionary loss of functional eyes in this species?

A. Natural selection favored individuals with smaller eyes to conserve energy.
B. A random genetic mutation in the eye-development gene became fixed in the population.
C. Generations of living in darkness led to the disuse of eyes, causing them to degenerate and pass this reduced state to offspring.
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D. Extreme water pressure in caves physically crushed the optical structures during development.

📝 Explanation

Under Lamarckism, the continuous disuse of eyes in a dark cave environment leads to developmental decay, which is then inherited by subsequent generations.

📖 Additional Information

  • Natural selection favored individuals with smaller eyes to conserve energy.
  • A random genetic mutation in the eye-development gene became fixed in the population.
  • Generations of living in darkness led to the disuse of eyes, causing them to degenerate and pass this reduced state to offspring.
  • Extreme water pressure in caves physically crushed the optical structures during development.

Under Lamarckism, the continuous disuse of eyes in a dark cave environment leads to developmental decay, which is then inherited by subsequent generations.

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