Moderate

Adaptations that an organism acquires by its own actions are:

Correct answer: B. Acquired traits

  • A. Inherited traits
  • B. Acquired traits
  • C. Behavioral adaptations
  • D. Structural adaptations

Explanation

Adaptations that an organism acquires by its own actions are called acquired traits. These are changes or characteristics developed during an organism's lifetime due to use, disuse, habits, or environmental influences. For example, a person gaining muscle from exercise or a bird learning to sing a new tune are acquired traits. Unlike inherited traits, which are passed from parents to offspring through genes, acquired traits cannot be inherited. They only affect the individual and disappear with it, a concept first proposed by Lamarck but later disproved by modern genetics.

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About Evolution

Evolution describes heritable change in populations over generations through variation, natural selection and adaptation. Lamarckism explains inheritance of acquired characteristics, while Darwinism explains selection of favourable inherited variations; these historical explanations must not be confused with the modern genetic account of evolutionary change.

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