Question

The tails of a male and female mouse are cut and they are mated to produce offspring. The offspring however has a tail. Why did the offspring develop a tail when its parents did not have one?

• A. The offspring took medication to develop his tail
• B. There is no change at the genetic level
• C. Development of tail depends upon environment
• D. Development of tail is a random event

Answer 1

The correct option is B There is no change at the genetic level

Only those variations which occur at a genetic level are inherited to the next generation. Other variations which don't affect the genetic makeup of the organism are not inherited. The cut tail of a mouse is a physical change which changes its body shape but not the genetic makeup. Hence, its offsprings will not have a cut tail.