Prior to the ideas presented by Charles Darwin concerning evolution, several alternating theories had been developed. They included all BUT

A) all species on Earth were created at the same time and have never changed.
B) the DNA differences within a species lead to some individuals being better able to survive.
C) new animals were simply made from the different parts of animals that were living at the time.
D) an organism can acquire characteristics during their lifetime and then pass these onto future generations.