Question

Describe in short the hereditary and acquired characters.

Answer 1

Hereditary characters are the characters that are inherited from parents to the offsprings. Each gamete transmits the characters in the form of genetic material. These characters are carried over generations. Hair color, eye color of an individual are hereditary characters. Acquired characters are the characters that are acquired by the individual during its lifetime. They are present due to changes in the lifestyle, injury. Acquired traits are not inherited to the offspring from parents. These are not carried over generations. Larger muscle size developed by exercising is an example of acquired character.