According to the theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics

Options

A. if a man loses his hand, then his children will also be missing a hand.
B. changes in phenotype are passed on by way of the genotype to the next generation.
C. organisms are able to bring about a change in their phenotype.
D. evolution is striving toward particular traits.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Theory**: The theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics, proposed by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, suggests that traits acquired or lost during an organism's lifetime can be passed on to its offspring.

2. **Example Explanation**: For instance, if a man loses his hand due to an accident, according to this theory, his children would inherit the trait of missing a hand.

3. **Phenotype and Genotype**: In this context, the phenotype refers to the observable characteristics (like missing a hand), while the genotype refers to the genetic makeup that determines these traits.

4. **Transmission of Traits**: The theory posits that changes in phenotype can lead to changes in genotype, which are then passed on to the next generation. This means that any acquired characteristics (like the loss of a hand) would be reflected in the genetic information of the offspring.

5. **Ability to Change**: The theory also implies that organisms have the ability to adapt and change their phenotypes in response to their environment, which can lead to evolutionary changes over generations.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, according to the theory of inheritance of acquired characteristics, if a man loses a hand, it is believed that his children may also be born without a hand due to the inheritance of this acquired characteristic.