NEETZoologyEvolution
Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion (A) and the other is labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A): The embryological support for evolution as proposed by Ernst Haeckel was disapproved by Karl Ernst von Baer. Reason (R): Von Baer noted that embryos never pass through the adult stages of other animals. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given
Options
- ABoth (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
- BBoth (A) and (R) are correct but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A)
- C(A) is correct but (R) is incorrect
- D(A) is incorrect but (R) is correct
Correct answer
A. Both (A) and (R) are correct and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
Step-by-step solution
Ernst Haeckel proposed embryological support for evolution based on the observation that all vertebrate embryos share certain features that are absent in adults. However, Karl Ernst von Baer performed careful studies and disapproved this proposal. He observed that embryos never pass through the adult stages of other animals. Thus, the Assertion is a correct historical fact from evolutionary biology, and the Reason provides the exact scientific observation made by von Baer that led to the disapproval of Haeckel's pr