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Traits are distinguishing features of living organisms and may either be inherited or acquired. In humans these traits can include hair color, eye color, handedness, head shape, and foot shape. Inherited traits are those passed from parent to offspring. These traits are associated with genes in the individual's DNA. It is possible for a trait to be inherited that neither parent appeared to have if a recessive gene for that trait is inherited from both parents. Acquired traits are those features an organism gains over the course of its life. These traits are not associated with the genetic code and cannot be inherited by the offspring. Inherited traits in humans would include skin pigmentation, hair color, eye color and ear lobe shape. These traits can be identified in family members. Certain genetic disorders would likewise fall into this category such as hemophilia, sickle-cell anemia and muscular dystrophy. Plants or trees growing a particular way in response to their environment would be an example of an acquired trait. Acquired traits in humans would include piercing the body, shaping the head or feet during child development and tattooing. Humans have developed a method of ensuring acquired traits are passed on to future generations through the development of highly sophisticated culture. This allows parents to share traits that cannot be inherited with their offspring. Estrella Mountain Community College: Introduction to GeneticsInherited Traits
Acquired Traits
Example of Inherited Traits
Examples of Acquired Traits
Culture
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by casandrakumsung on June 30th, 2011
There is an over lap. Some traits are inherited and some are mutations ie birth defects.
Example you can pass ADHD to your kids, I know I did. But you did not necessarily get it from your parents. You could have developed it as a baby or before born.
Another example. There are people living at very high altitudes in mountains. Their lung capacity is 2 to 3 times ours. But they are not born with it even though they have been living in the mountains for thousands of years. It is an adaptation. Over generations some could be born with the tendency to be able to expand their lungs better than others so they would be at an advantage and possible live longer then and pass that on to their children that is an inherited trait. But the children do not have bigger lungs when born.
What is the definition of an inherited trait?
by Answerbag Staff on December 3rd, 2009
| 1 person likes this
Is stupidity ever an inherited trait? If so, would that indicate that some races are less intelligent than others?
by Random on June 22nd, 2011
| 1 person likes this
Do humans de-evolve as they run low on creativity and imagination?
by genericdust on September 15th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
Do you believe in eugenics and social darwinism? Why or why not?
by Anonymous on October 14th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
according to evolution
Am i come from a monkey or monkey is come from me?
by New Elian on September 2nd, 2011
| 1 person likes this
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