Question

Have you ever wondered why an elephant always gives birth only to a baby elephant and not some other animal?

Answer 1

Part 1:Introduction to heredity
The transmission of traits such as eye colour, hair colour, blood group from the parents to their offsprings is called heredity. Traits are determined by the genes present on the chromosomes.

Part 2: Transmission of genetic traits in elephants

• An elephant transmits its DNA to its offspring.
• This DNA carries the information about the body design of an elephant in the form of genes.
• This DNA does not carry the information about the body design of a tiger or a lion.
• Hence, when a zygote having elephant’s DNA develops into an organism, it takes the shape of an elephant, as per the instructions given by the genes in DNA.
• Thus, an elephant gives birth to a baby elephant and not any other animal.