Question

An organism's traits are determined by the specific combination of inherited \(-------\) ' a. cells b. genes c. proteins d. chromatids

Short answer

Answer: Genes

Step-by-step solution

Understand the terms

Before answering the question, it is essential to understand the terminology involved. a. Cells: The basic building blocks of living organisms. b. Genes: Segments of DNA that carry the instructions for making proteins, which in turn determine traits. c. Proteins: Large molecules that perform various functions in organisms, including building and maintaining structures and carrying out biological processes. d. Chromatids: One of the two identical DNA strands that make up a chromosome, visible during cell division.

Analyze the options

Now that you know the meaning behind each term, it's time to determine which one is responsible for an organism's traits. a. Cells: While cells make up an organism's body, they don't directly determine its traits. b. Genes: Genes are responsible for the production of proteins, which in turn determine traits. c. Proteins: Proteins carry out tasks based on the genes that code for them, making them responsible for traits. d. Chromatids: Chromatids carry genes, but they aren't the direct determinants of traits.

Choose the correct answer

Based on the analysis of each option, it is clear that b. genes are the specific combination of inherited factors responsible for determining an organism's traits.