Mutation Theory of Hugo Devries MCQ - Practice Questions with Answers

• The mutation theory was published in 1901 by the Dutch botanist, Hugo De Vries.
• His theory is mainly based on his experiments on a plant called evening primrose, Oenothera lamarckiana.
• De Vries found that certain strikingly different forms appeared suddenly among a population of normal type of evening primrose. He called them mutants. 
• A mutant is a variant that arises abruptly among normal forms. A mutant always breeds true, that is, it produces offspring like itself.
• The term mutation or saltation is applied to a sudden large change or discontinuous variation in organisms, and this can be inherited. 
• According to the mutation theory, mutations are the real cause for the evolution of a new species.

Criticism of Mutation Theory

• Natural mutations are not as common as De Vries thought them to be.
• Most of the mutations are negative or retrogressive.
• Mutations are generally recessive while traits taking part in evolution are dominant.
• This theory failed to explain the role of nature.