Acquired trait:
A personality trait that an individual develops as a result of external effects is known as an acquired trait.
Inherited trait:
Traits that are inherited are those that transfer from parents to offspring. Genes control the inherited characteristics of an individual.
Differences between the inherited traits and acquired traits are as follows :
| Inherited traits | Acquired traits |
| (i) These traits are passed from the parent to offspring. | These traits are developed during the life of an individual. |
| (ii) These are genetic variations. | These are somatic variations. |
| (iii) These develop due to crossing over phenomenon and mutations. | These develop due to use and disuse of organs and direct effect of environment. |
| (iv) These are passed on from one generation to the other. | These traits end with the death of the individuals. |
| (v) Example: Skin colour, eye colour, form of hair, polydactyly (extra fingers), free and attached ear lobes, blood groups of human beings. | Example: If a group of mice are normally bred, all their progenies will have tails. Now, if the tails of these mice are removed surgically in each generation, tailless mice will not be produced. It is so because the removal of the tail is an acquired character and it will not bring change in the genes of the germ cells of the mice. |