Acquired characters are

Analyze the question: The question asks what acquired characters are. These are traits an organism develops during its lifetime. They are not inherited.

Explain the concept:

• Inherited (genetic) characters are passed from parents to offspring through genes. Examples are blood group and eye colour.
• Acquired characters develop during an individual's life in response to environmental influences such as use and disuse, injury, diet, and training. Examples are a scar, bulging muscles from weightlifting, and a tanned skin.
• Acquired characters affect body (somatic) cells, not the gametes. So they are not passed on to offspring. This is why Lamarck's idea that acquired traits are inherited was rejected.

Step-by-step evaluation of the options:

• A. Received from parents: This describes inherited characters, so it is wrong.
• B. Passed to offspring: Acquired characters are not inherited, so it is wrong.
• C. Caused by the environment: This is correct. Acquired characters result from environmental influences during life.
• D. Caused by mutation: Mutations are changes in genetic material. They can be inherited if they occur in gametes, so this is not the definition of acquired characters.

Answer: The correct option is C.

Exam tip: Remember that acquired characters come from the environment during life, and inherited characters come from genes. If a trait is "gained in life," it will not be passed to the next generation.