Question

Why acquired characters are not inherited?

• A. Acquired characters do not produce change in the DNA of germ cells.
• B. Acquired characters produce change in the DNA of germ cells.
• C. Acquired characters do not produce change in the DNA of body cells.
• D. All of the above.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Acquired characters do not produce change in the DNA of germ cells.

Acquired characters do not produce change in the genes of germ cells, so they cannot be inherited.

For example- if tails of mice are cut in the first generation, and then breeding is done, the new mice born will have full tails. The cut tail of mice is an acquired trait which is never passed on to their progeny. This is because cutting of mice tails does not change the genes of their reproductive cells.

So, the correct answer is 'Acquired characters do not produce change in the DNA of germ cells.'