Name the plant Mendel used for his experiment. What type of progeny was obtained by Mendel in F₁ and F₂ generations when he crossed the tall and short plants? Write the ratio he obtained in F₂generation plants.

OR

List two differences between acquired traits and inherited traits by giving an example of each.

•The plant that Mendel used was the pea plant. Mendel crossed a tall and a short pea plant. The progeny he obtained were all tall. This was the F1 generation.

•Then he took two plants from the F1 generation and cross pollinated them. The progeny obtained made up the F2 generation.

•The F2 generation had three tall plants and one short plant.

•The ratio obtained in F2 generation was 3:1.

OR

•Acquired traits cannot be passed onto the progeny from the parent. Inherited traits are passed onto the progeny from the parents.

•Acquired traits do not alter the DNA i.e. they bring about no change in the DNA because their genes are present in the somatic cells. But inherited traits do alter the DNA because their genes are present in the germ cells.

•Examples: Acquired trait: larger muscle size , skills like painting , singing , swimming , dancing.

•Examples: Inherited traits: eye colour, height, skin colour.