The development of big muscles by a wrestler is an example of?

Analyze the question: The question asks what type of change occurs when a wrestler develops big muscles through training.

Explain the concept:

• Acquired characteristics are traits an organism develops during its lifetime because of environment, use or disuse, or experience. They are not passed to offspring (e.g., big muscles from exercise, scars, a tanned skin).
• Inherited characteristics are traits passed from parents to offspring through genes (e.g., blood group, eye colour).
• Mutation is a sudden change in the genetic material (DNA or chromosomes).
• Atrophication (atrophy) is the wasting away or shrinking of a body part from disuse. This is the opposite of muscle growth.

Solution:

1. The wrestler's muscles grew because of repeated training and exercise, which is an environmental influence during his lifetime.
2. No change in his genes is involved, so it is not a mutation.
3. It is not inherited, since the muscle size was developed rather than passed down genetically.
4. Muscles are growing, not wasting, so it is not atrophy.
5. Therefore, it is an acquired characteristic.

Answer: A. acquired characteristics

Tip: Ask yourself, "Was the trait gained through effort or environment during life?" If so, it is acquired. Examples are bodybuilding, scars, and learning skills. If it was in the genes from birth, it is inherited. Acquired traits are not passed to children, which is a favourite JAMB follow-up question.