Which of the following best describes an acquired trait?

• A. A characteristic determined solely by the independent assortment of alleles during meiosis
• B. A trait that is always expressed in the phenotype regardless of genotype
• C. A trait that is inherited from parents through genes
• D. A characteristic that is developed during an organism's lifetime due to environmental influence

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the definition of an acquired trait: it is a characteristic that an organism develops during its lifetime due to environmental influences, rather than being inherited genetically.
2. Review the options given and identify which ones describe genetic inheritance or genetic mechanisms, such as independent assortment or traits determined by genotype.
3. Recognize that traits determined solely by independent assortment or inherited through genes are examples of inherited traits, not acquired traits.
4. Note that a trait always expressed regardless of genotype refers to dominant traits, which are genetic and not acquired.
5. Conclude that the best description of an acquired trait is one that develops during an organism's lifetime due to environmental factors, distinguishing it from inherited genetic traits.