Question

Which of the following is a genetic variation?

• A. Ability to play badminton
• B. Child born with a tail
• C. Ability to speak a foreign language
• D. Language proficiency

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Child born with a tail

Humans are vertebrates. They have a spinal cord. The last bone of the spinal cord called “coccyx” forms the tail in many other vertebrates. Over the time, in the course of evolution, humans have lost their tail. But the genes which code for tail formation do exist in human beings. It's just that they are not expressed. If by some mutation those genes get expressed, those humans can develop a tail. The ability to play badminton or to speak a foreign language are skills that an individual develops and are thus acquired characteristics.