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nmdcat.online July 14, 2026

Why did Weismann’s experiment of cutting off mice tails specifically disprove the “inheritance of acquired characters”?

A. Because the mice died before they could reproduce.
B. Because the mutilation (loss of tail) was a somatic change that did not affect the DNA of the sperm or egg cells.
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C. Because the tail is not an organ used for survival.
D. Because the mice regenerated their tails during their own lifetime.

📝 Explanation

Mutilating the tail alters somatic tissue (somatoplasm) but leaves the germplasm (reproductive cells) untouched, demonstrating that somatic changes are not inherited.

📖 Additional Information

  • Because the mice died before they could reproduce.
  • Because the mutilation (loss of tail) was a somatic change that did not affect the DNA of the sperm or egg cells.
  • Because the tail is not an organ used for survival.
  • Because the mice regenerated their tails during their own lifetime.

Mutilating the tail alters somatic tissue (somatoplasm) but leaves the germplasm (reproductive cells) untouched, demonstrating that somatic changes are not inherited.

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