De Vries' investigations

Hugo de Vries was a Dutch botanist and geneticist known for his studies on plant evolution and genetics. In the early 20th century, he proposed the theory of mutations, suggesting that new species arise from sudden, significant changes in their genetic makeup, rather than through gradual evolution. His work with evening primroses demonstrated how these mutations could lead to varied traits and help explain how evolutionary changes occur over time. De Vries' research laid important groundwork for the field of genetics and helped scientists understand the mechanisms of evolution more clearly.