Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Secondary Integrated Science Practice test

Which of the following is NOT one of Darwin's principles of natural selection?

1. Variation within a population

2. Inheritance of acquired characteristics

3. Survival of the fittest

4. Overproduction of offspring

The correct answer is: Inheritance of acquired characteristics

The principle of inheritance of acquired characteristics is not one of Darwin's core principles of natural selection. Instead, Darwin's theory primarily emphasizes that natural selection acts on variation within a population, meaning that individuals with certain advantageous traits are more likely to survive and reproduce. The concept of inheritance of acquired characteristics, advocated by Lamarck, suggests that traits acquired during an organism's lifetime can be passed on to its offspring. However, Darwin argued that variation is heritable and that it is the pre-existing genetic differences in a population that influence survival and reproduction. The other principles, such as variation within a population, survival of the fittest, and overproduction of offspring, are fundamental to Darwin's theory. Variation within a population allows for the possibility of natural selection to occur. Survival of the fittest describes the outcome of this selective process, where "fittest" refers to those organisms best suited to their environment. Finally, overproduction of offspring creates competition for resources, leading to the natural selection process where only some offspring survive to adulthood and reproduce.