20.7 Acquired traits


A human has a myriad of different traits, only some of which are hereditary.

Traits that are not inherited are called acquired traits. For example, your ability to read this text is an acquired trait. Acquired traits are not coded in the DNA. As a result, they cannot be passed down to offspring during reproduction.

The woman in the picture has inherited the genes that have resulted in the development of biceps. However, large, trained biceps are an acquired trait, which is not inherited from parents.
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