Acquired and Inspired

Some people have a misconception that all human traits are inheirited. However, the truth is that some traits are inheirited and some are acquired.

In the paper called "Inherited Human Traits: A Quick Reference," it says that inheirited traits are physical, observable characteristics determined by specific segments of DNA called "genes" that are passed from parent to child. Some examples of inheirited traits are eye color, hair color, hair texture, widow's peak, hitchhiker's thumb, and tongue rolling.

In the New World Encyclopedia's article, it says that acquired characteristics "are those changes in the structure or function of an organism that are the result of use, disuse, environmental influences, disease, mutilation, and so forth, such as a muscle that is enlarged through use or mice that have their tails cut off." Basically, acquired characteristics are those traits that a person has worked hard to develop.

Some of the sources I read, such as the Utah State Office of Education, compared inheirited and acquired characteristics to a rich old uncle who leaves all his money to his nephew. While the nephew can inheirit the money that the uncle earned during his lifetime (which is like the inheirited traits passed down genetically), he cannot inheirit the hard work or good business ideas or creativity that the uncle had, which helped him make the money. Some examples of acquired characteristics are musical talent, acting, writing skills, drawing skills, and technical design skills. These cannot be passed down genetically but they can be passed down culturally.

Some of the scientific methods used to figure out the answers to these questions are observation, scientific experimentation (such as when they did experiments on plants and grafted them on to other similar plants), and analysis of results.

Sources:

"Acquired characteristics." New World Encyclopedia, . 9 Aug 2008, 01:32 UTC. 17 Nov. 2015, 03:37 <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=Acquired_characteristics&oldid=778309>.

Stark, Louisa, Molly Malone, and Harmony Starr. "Inherited Human Traits: A Quick Reference." Inherited Human Traits: A Quick Reference Inherited Human Traits: A Quick Reference (n.d.): n. pag. 31 Aug. 2008. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. <http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/inheritance/activities/pdfs/Inherited%20Human%20Traits%20Quick%20Reference_Public.pdf>.

Westbroek, Glen. "Inherited vs Acquired Traits." Inherited vs Acquired Traits. Utah State Office of Education, 27 Aug. 2001. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. <http://utahscience.oremjr.alpine.k12.ut.us/sciber01/7th/cells/html/inhvsacq.htm>.