CBSE Class 10 Biology Heredity Worksheet Set L

Multiple Choice Questions

Question. Select the set of homologous organs from the following:
(a) Wings of pigeon and a butterfly
(b) Wings of bat and a pigeon
(c) Forelimbs of cow, a duck and a lizard
(d) Wings of butterfly and a bat
Answer: (c)

Question. Four students A, B, C and D listed the following sets of organs of different organisms as homologous organs. Who was correct?
(a) A: wings of a bat and wings of a butterfly
(b) B: wings of a pigeon and wings of a bat
(c) C: wings of a pigeon and wings of a butterfly
(d) D: forelimbs of a cow, a duck and a lizard
Answer: (d)

Question. The following vegetables are kept in a basket: Potato, Tomato, Radish, Brinjal, Carrot, Bottle-gourd. Which two of these vegetables correctly represent the homologous structures?
(a) Carrot and Tomato
(b) Potato and Brinjal
(c) Radish and Carrot
(d) Radish and Bottle-gourd
Answer: (c)

Question. A Mendelian experiment consisted of breeding tall pea plants bearing violet flowers with short pea plants bearing white flowers. The progeny all bore violet flowers but almost half of them were short. This suggests that the genetic make-up of the tall parent can be depicted as:
(a) TTWW
(b) TTww
(c) TtWW
(d) TtWw
Answer: (c)

Question. Two pink coloured flowers on crossing resulted in 1 red, 2 pink and 1 white flower progeny. The nature of the cross will be:
(a) Double fertilisation
(b) Self pollination
(c) Cross fertilisation
(d) No fertilisation
Answer: (c)

Question. The two versions of a trait which are brought in by the male and female gametes are situated on:
(a) Copies of the same chromosome
(b) Two different chromosomes
(c) Sex chromosomes
(d) Any chromosomes
Answer: (a)

Question. From the list given below select the character which can be acquired but not inherited:
(a) Colour of eye
(b) Colour of skin
(c) Size of body
(d) Nature of hair
Answer: (c)

Question. A cross between a tall plant (TT) and short pea plant (tt) resulted in progeny that were all tall plants because:
(a) Tallness is the dominant trait
(b) Shortness is the dominant trait
(c) Tallness is the recessive trait
(d) Height of pea plant is not governed by gene ‘T’ or ‘t’
Answer: (a)

Question. Match the following
Column I: (a) Fossil, (b) A theory of evolution, (c) Probable ancestor of birds, (d) Charles Darwin, (e) Gregor Mendel
Column II: (i) A famous evolutionist, (ii) Survival of the fittest, (iii) Petrified remains of prehistoric life, (iv) Father of genetics, (v) Archaeopteryx
Answer: (a) (iii), (b) (ii), (c) (v), (d) (i), (e) (iv)

Fill in the blanks

Question. (a) The theory of natural selection for evolution was proposed by ............................... . (b) The human forelimb and bat's forelimb are an example of ............................... organs whereas an insect's wing and a bat's are an example of ............................... organs. (c) The scientific name of all human beings is ............................... .
Answer: (a) Darwin, (b) homologous, analogous, (c) Homo sapiens

Very Short Answers Type Questions

Question. A Mendelian experiment consisted of breeding pea plants bearing violet flowers with pea plant bearing white flowers. What will be the result in F1 progeny?
Answer: All the progeny of F1 generation will have violet flowers because violet colour is dominant over the recessive white colour.

Question. Why is variation important for a species?
Answer: Variation is necessary for the survival of species as variation makes species more adapted to survive with the changing environmental conditions. The variant species are more adapted to changing environment. Therefore, they can survive better and reproduce to pass the genes to the offsprings.

Question. How does the creation of variations in species promote survival?
Answer: Due to errors in DNA copying some variations in a species occur. Species with useful variations get adapted to the changing environment and they have better chances of survival and produce their offsprings.

Question. What factors could lead to the rise of a new species?
Answer: The factors that could lead to the rise of a new species are genetic variations, genetic drift, reproductive isolation and natural selection.

Question. Will geographical isolation be a major factor in the speciation of an organism that reproduces asexually? Why or why not?
Answer: No, geographical isolation will not be a major factor in the speciation of an organism that reproduces asexually because offsprings are produced from a single parent and there is no involvement of any other organisms.

Question. All the variations in a species do not have equal changes of survival. Why?
Answer: Those variations which may not prove beneficial they would ultimately be eliminated so all the variations in a species do not have equal changes of survival.

Question. Give reasons why acquired characters are not inherited?
Answer: Acquired characters are developed by an individual during its life time. They are not present in the DNA of germ cells. They only involve changes in the non-reproductive tissues and hence these characters are not inherited.

Question. Why do all the gametes formed in human females have an X-chromosome?
Answer: The sex chromosome in human female is homomorphic i.e., they contain same chromosome XX. During meiosis process at the time of gamete formation all egg cell will get one copy of X-chromosome, hence all the gametes formed in human females have an X-chromosome.

Question. If the weight of a tiger is reduced because of starvation, the progeny tigers will not have low weight. Give reason.
Answer: Decrease in weight of a tiger due to starvation will not cause a change in the DNA of germ cells as this is an example of acquired trait. Hence the progeny tigers will not have low weight.

Question. Mendel took tall pea plants and short pea plants and produced F1 progeny through cross-fertilisation. What did Mendel observe in the F1 progeny?
Answer: Mendel observed that all pea plants were tall in F1 generation.

Question. What is DNA copying? State its importance.
Answer: Creating a new copy of DNA in a reproducing cell is known as DNA copying. Since DNA is the carrier of the blue print of the genetic characters, its copying is essential to pass on this blue print to the offsprings.

Short Answers Type Questions

Question. (a) Classify the following as homologous or analogous pairs: (i) Broccoli and Cabbage, (ii) Ginger and Raddish, (iii) Forelimbs of birds and lizard, (iv) Wings of a bat and Wings of a bird. (b) State the main feature that categorises a given pair of organs as homologous or analogous.
Answer: (a) (i) Broccoli and cabbage are homologous pairs. (ii) Ginger and raddish are analogous pairs. (iii) Four limbs of birds and lizard are homologous pairs. (iv) Wings of bat and wings of a bird are analogous pairs. (b) Homologous organs are defined as the organs of different animals that are having a similar structure but differ in their functions. Having a similar structure shows that all these animals have a common ancestor. Analogous organs are defined as the organs of different animals that are having different structure but perform the same functions.

Question. A green stemmed rose plant denoted by GG and a brown stemmed rose plant denoted by gg are allowed to undergo a cross with each other. (a) List your observations regarding (i) Colour of stem in their F1 progeny, (ii) Percentage of brown stemmed plants in F2 progeny if F1 plants are self pollinated, (iii) Ratio of GG and Gg in the F2 progeny. (b) Based on the findings of this cross, what conclusion can be drawn?
Answer: (a) (i) Colour of stems in F1 progeny will be all green. (ii) The percentage of brown stem will be 25% i.e., one-fourth of the total number of progeny. (iii) GG: Gg is 1: 2. (b) Based on the findings of this cross this can be concluded that green stemmed plants are dominant whereas brown stemmed plants are recessive.

Question. How does the creation of variations in a species promote survival? Explain with the help of an example.
Answer: Variations are the differences in the characters among the individuals of a species. These variations enable organisms to survive in a changing environment. For example, if there is a population of bacteria living in temperate water, and the temperature of the water increases due to global warming, most of the bacteria will die. However, a few variants that are resistant to heat will survive and grow further.

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

• Acquired Traits: 1. These are somatic variations and do not bring any change in DNA. 2. These traits develop throughout the lifetime of an individual. Example: Learning of dance and music.
• Inherited Traits: 1. These are genetic variations that bring about changes in the DNA. 2. These traits are transferred by parents to the offspring. Example: Eye colour, Hair colour.

Question. How did Mendel explain that it is possible that a trait is inherited but not expressed in an organism?
Answer: Some traits that are inherited may not express themselves. Such hidden traits are known as recessive traits. Mendel explained this with a monohybrid cross. In a cross between a tall plant (TT) and a dwarf plant (tt), the F1 progeny were all tall (Tt). When these F1 tall plants were self-crossed, the dwarf trait reappeared in the F2 generation in the ratio of 3:1. This proves that the dwarf trait was inherited in F1 but suppressed by the dominant tall trait.

Question. ‘‘Evolution and classification of organisms are interlinked’’. Give reasons to justify this statement.
Answer: Classification is based on similarities and differences between organisms. Similarities suggest a common ancestry. As we move from simple to complex organisms in our classification, we are tracing the evolutionary path. The hierarchy of classification reflects the evolutionary relationship among organisms.

Question. With the help of two suitable examples, explain why certain experiences and traits earned by people during their lifetime are not passed on to their next generations. When can such traits be passed on?
Answer: Traits like piercing of ears or developing large muscles are acquired traits that affect only non-reproductive somatic tissues and not the germ cells' DNA. Hence, they are not inherited. Traits can only be passed on when they cause a direct effect on the genes in germ cells, such as a mutation caused by radiation.

Question. Explain with the help of an example each, how the following provide evidences in favour of evolution: (a) Homologous organs, (b) Analogous organs, (c) Fossils
Answer: (a) Homologous organs: Bone structures in forelimbs of birds and humans are similar (pentadactyl plan) but perform different functions, indicating common ancestry. (b) Analogous organs: Wings of birds and bats have different structures but perform the same function (flight), showing adaptation to similar environments. (c) Fossils: Archaeopteryx acts as a connecting link between birds and reptiles, suggesting birds evolved from reptiles.

Question. Mention the total number of chromosomes along with the sex chromosomes that are present in a human female and a human male. Explain how in sexually producing organisms the number of chromosomes in the progeny remains the same as that of the parents.
Answer: Humans have 46 chromosomes. Males have XY sex chromosomes; females have XX. During sexual reproduction, parents produce haploid gametes (23 chromosomes) via meiosis. When the male and female gametes fuse during fertilisation, the resulting zygote restores the diploid number (46), keeping the chromosome count constant across generations.

Question. ‘‘Natural selection and speciation leads to evolution’’. Justify this statement.
Answer: Natural selection ensures that organisms with advantageous variations survive and reproduce ("struggle for existence"). Over time, these variations accumulate. Speciation occurs when groups within a species become reproductively isolated (e.g., due to geographical barriers) and accumulate enough genetic differences to become distinct species. Both processes drive the continuous change and diversification of life forms.

Question. If a trait A exists in 10% of a population of an asexually reproducing species and trait B exists in 60% of the same population, which trait is likely to have arisen earlier?
Answer: Trait B is likely to have arisen earlier. In asexual reproduction, variations arise due to small inaccuracies in DNA copying. Since trait B is present in a much larger percentage (60%) than trait A (10%), it has been passed down through more generations, indicating it originated earlier.

Question. Mention few characteristics of genes.
Answer: (a) Maintain constancy from generation to generation. (b) Can undergo mutation. (c) Nucleotide sequences determine specific proteins. (d) Control specific characters. (e) Are basic units of inheritance.

Question. Why are human beings who look so different from each other in terms of size, colour and looks said to belong to the same species?
Answer: All humans belong to the species *Homo sapiens*. Despite physical differences, our DNA sequences are highly similar, and humans from different regions can interbreed. Fossils and molecular phylogeny show that all humans share a common ancestor from Africa, and differences in appearance are simply due to geographical and climatic adaptations.

Question. What evidence do we have for the origin of life from inanimate matter?
Answer: The Miller-Urey experiment (1953) simulated primitive Earth's atmosphere with methane, ammonia, hydrogen, and water vapour. By applying electric sparks (simulating lightning), they produced simple organic compounds like amino acids and sugars within a week. This suggests that complex biological molecules could have formed from inorganic matter under specific conditions.

Question. What are chromosomes ? Explain how in sexually reproducing organisms the number of chromosomes in the progeny is maintained.
Answer: Long thread like structures made of DNA are called chromosomes. In sexually reproducing organisms gametes are formed which have only half the number of chromosomes or DNA as compared to non-reproductive body cells. The gametes fuse to form a zygote resulting in re-establishment of the number of chromosomes in the progeny.

Question. How do variations arise in organisms ? ‘‘Variation is useful for the survival of species.’’ Justify this statement with the help of an example.
Answer: Variations may arise due to small inaccuracies in DNA copying during reproduction; as a result of sexual reproduction where genetic materials from two different organisms combine to form a new organism. During adverse conditions some variations may give survival advantage to the organism e.g., a population of bacteria living in temperate waters. If the temperature of water increases suddenly then most of the bacteria would die but few variant bacteria resistant to heat would survive and grow further.

Question. Give an example of the characteristics being used to determine how close two species are in evolutionary terms.
Answer: Study of homologous organs as forelimbs of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibian; show that though they perform different functions but they have similar basic or internal structure; this is because they have evolved from common ancestor and help us in determining the closeness between two species in evolutionary terms.

Question. List any three factors and mention how they could lead to the rise of a new species.
Answer: 1. Natural selection is the differential survival and reproduction of individuals due to differences in phenotype. It is a key mechanism of evolution, the change in the heritable traits characteristic of a population over generations. 2. Genetic drift is the variation in the relative frequency of different genotypes in a small population, owing to the change disappearance of particular genes as individuals die or do not reproduce. 3. A gene mutation is a permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene, such that the sequence differs from what is found in most people. Mutations range in size; they can affect anywhere from a single DNA building block (base pair) to a large segment of chromosome that includes multiple genes.

Question. Explain Mendel’s experiment with peas on inheritance of characters considering only one visible contrasting character.
Answer: Mendel conducted breeding experiments with garden peas: (a) He studied (pure) plants of a tall or short varieties. (b) He crossed them and obtained \( F_1 \) progeny. (c) He found that \( F_1 \) progeny was all tall plants. (d) He selfed the (hybrid) plants of \( F_1 \) progeny. (e) He found that in \( F_2 \) progeny there were tall as well as short plants. (f) The three quarter plants were tall and one quarter was short.

Long Answers Type Questions

Question. (a) How do the following provide evidences in favour of evolution in organisms? Explain with an example for each. (i) Homologous organs (ii) Analogous organs (iii) Fossils (b) Explain two methods to determine the age of fossils.
Answer: (a) (i) Homologous organs: These are organs similar in structure but modified to perform different functions. For eg. forelimbs of humans, frog and lizard have similar structures. Frog uses it to hop, humans use it to write, and lizards use it to creep. They explain that these groups had common ancestors. (ii) Analogous organs: They have different structure and appearance but perform similar function. For eg. wings of a bat and a bird have different structure but perform function of flying. They show trace evolution due to adaptation to similar environment. (iii) Fossils: They are the remains of plants and animals found under earth that lived in remote past. They tell us about evolutionary relationships. For eg. Archaeopteryx has features similar to birds (wings) and reptiles (claws/beak). (b) (i) Carbon-14 Dating: All organisms have some percentage of carbon which decreases as we die. The percentage of fossil is compared with the present percentage in living organisms to determine their age. (ii) Relative method: The earth is dug, and fossils found closer to the surface are recent whereas ones found in deeper layers are older ones. For eg. Dinosaurs are found in deeper layers.

Question. Give the basic features of the mechanism of inheritance.
Answer: The basic features of mechanism of inheritance are: (a) Traits are controlled by genes. (b) Genes are present on chromosomes. (c) Each gene controls one character. (d) There may be two or more forms of a gene. (e) One form may be dominant over the other. (f) An individual possesses two forms of genes which may be similar or dissimilar. (g) The two forms of gene separate at the time of gamete formation. (h) The two forms of gene are brought together in a zygote after fertilisation.

Question. Consider the following situations and explain with example how characteristics of a population changes over the years : (a) To get survival advantage. (b) Due to accidental survival (c) Due to temporary changes in characteristics.
Answer: (a) To get survival advantage: For example, a colour variation in beetles where a green beetle is born in a red population. Green beetles are camouflaged in bushes and avoid being eaten by crows, thus their population increases. (b) Due to accidental survival: For example, blue beetles appear in a red population. An elephant stamps on the bushes, killing most red beetles by chance. The surviving blue beetles then increase in population. This is genetic drift. (c) Due to temporary changes in characteristics: For example, a plant disease reduces the leaves in bushes, causing beetles to become underweight due to poor nourishment. Once the disease is eliminated and food is plentiful, the beetles regain weight. This is an acquired trait and is not passed to the next generation.

Question. Define evolution. How does it occur ? Explain how fossils provide evidences in support of evolution.
Answer: Evolution is the gradual accumulation of variations and its selection by nature leading to the formation of new species. Variations arise due to mutations or sexual reproduction. Natural selection acts on these, allowing the most suitable variations to survive. Fossils are preserved traces of living organisms that did not decompose completely. They provide missing links between species and information about prehistoric organisms, helping us understand how species evolved from ancestors.

Question. What are fossils ? How are fossils formed and how is their age determined ? State the importance of fossils in the study of evolution.
Answer: Fossils are the preserved traces of living organisms. They are formed when body parts of dead organisms are caught in mud and eventually harden to retain the impression. Age is determined by: (a) Relative method and (b) Carbon dating method. Importance: (a) They help us know about species that are no longer alive. (b) They provide evidence of missing links between two groups of organisms.

Question. (a) Why did Mendel choose garden pea for his experiments ? Write two reasons. (b) List two contrasting visible characters of garden pea Mendel used for his experiment. (c) Explain in brief how Mendel interpreted his results to show that the traits may be dominant or recessive .
Answer: (a) (i) Pea plant is small and easy to grow. (ii) Short life cycle. (b) Round or wrinkled seeds and tall or short plants. (c) When Mendel crossed two pea plants with a pair of contrasting characters, only one character appeared in \( F_1 \) progeny (dominant). On selfing \( F_1 \), the hidden character reappeared in 25% of the \( F_2 \) offspring, showing it was present but recessive in \( F_1 \).

Assertion and Reasoning Based Questions

Question. Assertion : Geographical isolation is a major factor in the speciation of a self-pollinating plant species. Reason : Geographical isolation does not allows gene flow between populations of a species.
(a) If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) If both assertion and reason are true, but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) If assertion is true, but reason is false.
(d) If assertion is false but reason is true.
Answer: (d)

Question. Assertion : Presence of feathers in dinosaurs and birds indicates that they are evolutionary related. Reason : Analogous organs are used as an evidence to determine how close two species are related.
(a) If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) If both assertion and reason are true, but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) If assertion is true, but reason is false.
(d) If assertion is false but reason is true.
Answer: (a)

Question. Assertion : If the weight of the beetle is reduced because of starvation, that will not change the DNA of the germ cells. Reason : Acquired traits are not inherited.
(a) If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) If both assertion and reason are true, but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) If assertion is true, but reason is false.
(d) If assertion is false but reason is true.
Answer: (a)

Question. Assertion : Mendel was successful in his hybridization experiments. Reason : Garden pea proved as an ideal experimental material.
(a) If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) If both assertion and reason are true, but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) If assertion is true, but reason is false.
(d) If assertion is false but reason is true.
Answer: (a)

Question. Assertion : Mutations are discontinuous variations. Reason : Mutations affect the single genes.
(a) If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) If both assertion and reason are true, but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) If assertion is true, but reason is false.
(d) If assertion is false but reason is true.
Answer: (d)

Creating Based Questions

Question. Ram met with an accident. John his school mate takes him to the hospital where Ram (AB blood group) needs blood transfusion. John also has AB blood group and is willing to donate his blood but Ram’s mother object by saying “John belongs to different community so has different type of blood”. Give your opinion about Ram’s mother views.
Answer: Blood group AB has two alleles A and B in the people of all communities. Blood type is determined genetically, not by community.

Question. Seema had a huge scar on her cheek after she met with an accident. She is worried if her baby would inherit the scar she had acquired. Give your opinion about Seema’s view.
Answer: Change in non-reproductive tissues cannot be passed on to the DNA of the germ cells; these are acquired traits. Therefore, the scar cannot be passed on to her progeny.

Question. “A brother and sister are more related to each other in comparison to the case when any one of them is related with his or her cousin”. Through this statement what will we get to know about their ancestors ?
Answer: A brother and sister are more closely related as they have common ancestors (parents) more recently than they do with a cousin (grandparents).

Question. Why a mice whose tail has been removed by surgery does not produce tailless mice ?
Answer: Removal of the tail is an acquired character and does not affect the DNA in the germ cells. Hence, it is not passed onto the next generation.

Paragraph/Table and Case Study Based Questions

Gregor Johann Mendel is known as a “Father of modern genetics” for his work in the field of genetics. He gave three laws of inheritance followed as Law of dominance, Law of segregation and Law of independent assortment. He conducted his experiment on garden pea plants having contrasting characteristics. He performed self-pollination and cross-pollination to understand the inheritance patterns of traits. Parental Genotypes: \( GGWW \) x \( ggww \) Parental Gametes: \( GW \) and \( gw \) \( F_1 \) Genotype: \( GgWw \) \( F_1 \) Gametes: \( GW, Gw, gW, gw \)

Question. After cross-fertilisation of true-breeding tall and dwarf plants, the \( F_1 \) generation was self-fertilised. The resultant plants have genotype in the ratio:
(a) 1:2:1 (homozygous tall: heterozygous tall: dwarf)
(b) 1:2:1 (heterozygous tall: homozygous tall: dwarf)
(c) 3:1 (tall: dwarf)
(d) 3:1 (dwarf: tall)
Answer: (a)

Question. Which of the following characteristics of pea plants was not used by Mendel in his experiments?
(a) Seed colour
(b) Seed shape
(c) Pod length
(d) Flower position
Answer: (c)

Question. Mendel took ............... contrasting characteristics of pea plants.
(a) eight
(b) seven
(c) six
(d) five
Answer: (b)

Question. The maleness of a child is determined by:
(a) The X-chromosome in the zygote
(b) The Y-chromosome in zygote
(c) The cytoplasm of germ cell which determines the sex
(d) Sex is determined by chance
Answer: (b)

Question. Test cross determines:
(a) whether two traits are linked or not
(b) the genotype of \( F_2 \) plant
(c) whether the two species will breed successfully or not
(d) number of alleles in a gene
Answer: (b)

Various biological studies have told us that since their origin, living organisms have undergone changes in their organisation to evolve into new forms. Excavating, time dating, etc have revealed a lot of information about human evolution. Scientists today know that all humans, irrespective of their colour, are a single species. Evolution is change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations. These characteristics are the expressions of genes that are passed on from parent to offspring during reproduction. Different characteristics tend to exist within any given population as a result of mutation, genetic recombination and other sources of genetic variation.

Question. ______ is the observable set of characteristics of an organism
(a) Phenotype
(b) Genes
(c) DNA
(d) All of the above
Answer: (a)

Question. Who proposed the theory of evolution?
(a) Charles Darwin
(b) Stanely Miller
(c) Harold Urey
(d) Aristotle
Answer: (a)

Question. Homologous organs are organs that have:
(a) Different function with a different structure
(b) Same function with the same structure
(c) Same function but with a different structure
(d) Different function but the same structure
Answer: (d)

Question. The organs present in two organisms indicate that they are derived from the same ancestor are:
(a) Analogous Organs
(b) Respiratory Organs
(c) Sense organs
(d) Homologous Organs
Answer: (d)

Question. Which of the following pair of organ is not homologous?
(a) Forelimbs in humans and lizard
(b) Forelimbs in lizard and frog
(c) Wings in butterfly and bat
(d) None of these
Answer: (c)

Study the table given below and answer the questions. Generation | Phenotypic ratio \( F_1 \) generation | 3 : 1 \( F_2 \) generation | 9 : 3 : 3 : 1

Question. (a) State the law of dominance. (b) What is the dominant allele ? (c) Define the terms phenotype. (d) What is the meaning of genotype ?
Answer: (a) According to the law of dominance, out of two alleles, one is the dominant allele while the other is the recessive allele. (b) The allele that expresses itself and reduces the expression of other alleles is termed as the dominant allele. (c) The set of morphological characteristics of an organism is known as the phenotype. (d) The set of alleles in DNA that carries the information for the expression of a trait is known as its genotype.

Question. (a) What is inheritance ? (b) Who was the person who gave the three laws of inheritance ? (c) What is the meaning of paternal and maternal DNA ? (d) What is the phenotypic ratio of the dihybrid cross ?
Answer: (a) Traits of organisms passing from parents to offspring is known as inheritance. (b) Gregor Johann Mendel. (c) Paternal DNA is received from the father, and maternal DNA is received from the mother. (d) 9:3:3:1.