What is the concept of Lamarckian blending?

The concept of Lamarckian blending refers specifically to the belief that offspring inherit a mix or blend of traits from their parents, leading to a gradual modification of characteristics over generations. This idea stems from the work of early biologist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, who proposed that traits acquired or modified during an organism's lifetime could be passed on to the next generation, resulting in a blending of features. For example, if a parent develops stronger muscles through use, their offspring would supposedly inherit these enhanced traits to a degree, leading to a gradual shift in physical attributes in the population.

This understanding highlights the historical perspective on inheritance that contrasts with modern genetics, which emphasizes the role of discrete genes rather than blending traits. Each of the other choices pertains to different biological concepts: gradual change of species relates to evolutionary change over time, mutation introduces genetic variation, and natural selection operates on existing variations within a population to favor those that enhance survival. However, none of these capture the essence of the blending hypothesis as proposed by Lamarck.