Mutation Theory of Hugo Devries MCQ - Practice Questions with Answers

Updated on Sep 18, 2023 18:34 AM

Quick Facts

The idea of mutations was brought forth by:

Gregor Mendel, who worked on Pisum sativum

Hardy Weinberg, who worked on allele frequencies in a population

Charles Darwin, who observed a wide variety of organisms during sea voyage

Hugo do Vries, who worked on evening primrose

What is the significance of the Hugo De Vries mutation theory in modern genetics?

It provided evidence for the existence of genes.

It introduced the concept of genetic drift.

It led to the discovery of DNA.

It showed that evolution occurs through the accumulation of small changes.

Theories of Evolution: Hugo De Vries Mutation Theory

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.