1. Tardigrade
  2. Question
  3. Biology
  4. Hugo de Vries describe his mutation theory on organic evolution while working on

Question Error Report

Thank you for reporting, we will resolve it shortly

Back to Question

Q. Hugo de Vries describe his mutation theory on organic evolution while working on

NTA AbhyasNTA Abhyas 2022

Solution:

Hugo de Vries gave his mutation theory on organic evolution while working on Oenothera lamarckiana (evening primrose). Hugo de Vries brought forth the idea of mutations – large differences arising suddenly in a population. He said that it is a mutation that causes evolution and not the minor variations (heritable) that Darwin talked about. Mutations are random and directionless while Darwinian variations are small and directional. Evolution for Darwin was gradual while deVries believed mutation caused speciation and hence called it saltation (single-step large mutation).