Question

The tails of male and female mice are removed surgically. They are allowed to mate to produce an offspring. The offspring however has a tail. Why did the offspring develop a tail when its parents did not have one?

• A. Development of tail depends upon the environment
• B. There is no change at the genetic level
• C. Development of tail is a random event
• D. It did not change the genes of the germ cell.

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (D)

It did not change the genes of the germ cell.

Removal of the tail cannot change the genes of the germ cells of the mice. It is a physical change which alters the anatomy of the body only. It is an acquired trait. Only those variations which occur at a genetic level are inherited to the next generation. They are known as the inherited traits.