Question

which statement best explains how organisms accomplish passing on traits to their offspring?
traits are acquired when parents care for their offspring.
offspring inherit traits when dna is replicated during mitosis.
traits are inherited by the transfer of genetic material from parent to offspring.
offspring acquire traits when cells become specialized for certain functions.

Explanation:

• Option A: Parental care does not lead to offspring acquiring traits (acquired traits are not inherited in this way), so A is incorrect.
• Option B: Mitosis is for cell division in growth/repair, not for passing traits to offspring (meiosis is involved in gamete production for inheritance), so B is incorrect.
• Option C: Genetic material (DNA) carrying trait - related information is transferred from parents (via gametes in sexual reproduction or other means in asexual) to offspring, which is the core of trait inheritance.
• Option D: Cell specialization (differentiation) is about cell function, not trait inheritance, so D is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Traits are inherited by the transfer of genetic material from parent to offspring.