Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Biology Practice Test

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Prepare for the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Biology Test. Ace your exam with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, all with helpful hints and explanations. Start studying today!

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What type of traits are typically passed from parents to offspring through alleles?

Acquired traits
Environmental traits
Genetic traits
Inherited traits

The correct answer is: Inherited traits

Alleles are variations of genes that determine specific traits in an organism and are inherited from parents during reproduction. Inherited traits refer to characteristics such as eye color, height, and blood type that are passed down through generations via genetic information encoded in DNA. These traits are a direct result of the combination of alleles from both parents and demonstrate Mendelian inheritance patterns. While acquired traits and environmental traits can influence an organism's characteristics, they are not passed down genetically. Acquired traits result from factors such as lifestyle choices or changes in the environment that occur during an organism's life, rather than from genetic inheritance. Therefore, inherited traits are the most accurate descriptor when discussing traits passed from parents to offspring through alleles.