NEETZoologyEvolution
What was Ernst Haeckel's proposal regarding embryological support for evolution?
Options
- AEmbryos pass through adult stages of other animals
- BCertain embryonic features are common to all vertebrates but absent in adults
- CEmbryos develop unique features that are not shared among vertebrates
- DAdult stages of vertebrates are identical across species
Correct answer
B. Certain embryonic features are common to all vertebrates but absent in adults
Step-by-step solution
Embryological support for evolution was also proposed by Ernst Heckel based upon the observation of certain features during the embryonic stage common to all vertebrates that are absent in adulthood. For example, the embryos of all vertebrates including human develop a row of vestigial gill slit just behind the head but it is a functional organ only in fish and not found in any other adult vertebrates. However, this proposal was disapproved on careful study performed by Karl Ernst von Baer. He noted that embryos ne