Question

Give two examples to explain that inheritance of acquired characters does not take place.

Answer 1

Acquired trait: A trait or characteristic of an organism that is not inherited but develops in response to the environment is called an acquired trait.

Example 1:

1. The decrease in the bodyweight of beetles due to starvation is an acquired trait by the beetles during their lifetime.
2. The non-reproductive tissues are caused by environmental factors that involve changes.
3. It will not bring any change in the DNA.
4. If some generations of the beetles are low in weight because of starvation, this trait cannot be inherited by the progeny over generations.

Example 2:

1. A group of mice is normally bred; all their progeny will have tails.
2. Now, if the tails of these mice are cut by surgery in each generation, tailless mice will not be produced.
3. The removal of the tails of mice during their life is an acquired character, and it will not bring any change in the DNA or genes of the germ cells of the mice.