Question

A trait in an organism is influenced by
(a) paternal DNA only
(b) maternal DNA only
(c) both maternal and paternal DNA
(d) neither by paternal nor by maternal DNA

NCERT Class X
Science - Exemplar Problems

Chapter_Heredity and Evolution

Answer 1

A trait in an organism is influenced by

(c) both maternal and paternal DNA

Traits refers to inherent characteristics of an organism that is transferred from one generation to another.
These traits are carried with the genes which are units of heredity. Genes are composed of DNA as the genetic material.

Answer 2

Trait in an organism is influenced by both maternal and paternal DNA. But maternal DNA can also be inherited separately. As during fertilisation, sperm only gives nucleus, but ova gives nucleus as well as cytoplasm. therefore, themitochondrial DNA and other cytoplasmic factors are inherited directly from mother. there are some traits which are exclusively linked with Y- chromosome and they are inherited by the male child directly from father.