(a) Name the unit of inheritance. What is its function?
(b) How are inherited traits different from acquired traits? Give examples.
Answers
I) They are inherited by an organism to another generation. II) They also act in evolution and heredity.
Acquired traits are those traits that are developed during lifetime of an individual. These traits cannot be inherited. For example, a wrestler develops large muscles due to his training program. but this does'nt mean it'll be passed on to his ofspring. In simple terms, acquired traits are skills, knowledge or memory that an individual develops during his/her lifetime.
On the other hand, inherited traits are those traits that are transferred from parents to offsprings. Example, skin colour, eye colour and shape, etc
a) The basic unit of inheritance in living beings are genes which are present on chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell.
They are hereditary components of a cell and are responsible for passing on the traits from one generation to another.
Genes are made up of deoxyribonucleic acids( DNA ) which contains the basic guidelines or framework for formation of proteins inside a cell that controls the functioning of cells.
They control the traits in an individual including all the internal and external factors, such as height, eye- colour, etc.
They also have a role in evolution as they can interact with the environment and bring about significant changes via mutation.
b) Inherited traits are the ones which are passed on from one generation to another, i.e. a child gets these traits from his/her parents.These are,therefore,coded in the DNA. Example-blood group,eye-colour,etc.
Acquired traits are the habits, behaviours,skills that individuals acquire or develop during the course of their entire lifetime as a result of environmental influence. These are not coded in the DNA. Example: Skills like singing,dancing etc., calluses on fingers,etc.