. State the meaning of inherited traits and acquired traits. Which of the two is not passed on to the next generation

Best Answer

Ans.  Acquired traits:

(i) A trait  of an  organism which  is not inherited but develops in response to the environment is called an acquired trait.

(ii) The acquired traits of an organism cannot  be passed on to the future generation.

Example:  If a beetle  does  not  get sufficient food for a considerable  time, its weight  will be reduced due to starvation. The low weight of this beetle is an acquired trait.

Inherited traits:

(i) A trait of an organism which is caused by a change in its gene  is called  an inherited trait.

(ii)  Inherited traits  can be transmitted to future generations because the changes have occurred in the genes.

Example: If in a group  of red beetle a colour variation arises during reproduction so that  there is a beetle which  is green in colour. This green colour of the beetle is an inherited character which can pass on to the next generation.