Question

Mention the salient features of de Vries' theory of mutation.

Answer 1

1. De Vries proposed that new characteristics can appear suddenly and be inherited.
2. He called these sudden variations mutations and considered them capable of producing new species.
3. Mutations are random, may involve gain or loss of a character, and can recur.
4. He regarded mutation as more important than natural selection and contrasted sudden changes with Darwin’s gradual variations.