Question

The beak of a Galapagos finch has become dull and worn by the time it has offspring. Will this individual pass on its dull, worn beak to its offspring? Why or why not?

Answer choices

A) Yes; the beak became dull and worn due to epigenetic modifications

B) No; BOTH physical changes acquired over an individual’s lifetime AND bill morphology and shininess, are not heritable traits

C) No; physical changes acquired over an individual’s lifetime are not heritable

D) Yes; bill morphology and shininess are heritable traits

E) No; bill morphology and shininess are not heritable traits

Answer 1

ANSWER:

The beak of a Galapagos finch has become dull and worn by the time it has offspring. Will this individual pass on its dull, worn beak to its offspring? Why or why not? Answer choices A) Yes; the beak became dull and worn due to epigenetic modifications B) No; BOTH physical changes acquired over an individual's lifetime AND bill morphology and shininess, are not heritable traits No; physical changes acquired over an individual's lifetime are not heritable D) Yes; bill morphology and shininess are heritable traits E) No; bill morphology and shininess are not heritable traits

EXPLANATION:

The physical changes or traits that are acquired by an individual during it's lifetime are not heritable, since they don't involve a change in the DNA of the germ cells.

Hence, the correct option is (c).

Thanks.