Which of the following statements about traits is true after fertilization?

• A. Traits are exclusively maternal
• B. Traits are exclusively paternal
• C. Traits come from both parents
• D. Traits are determined by environmental conditions

Answer: (C)

The statement that traits come from both parents is true after fertilization because during this process, genetic material from both the mother and the father is combined to form a zygote. Each parent contributes one set of chromosomes, which carry genes that code for various traits. This means that offspring inherit a mix of characteristics from both their maternal and paternal ancestry, leading to a unique combination of traits.

In many cases, these traits are influenced by the specific alleles inherited from each parent, which can display dominance, recessiveness, or co-dominance, further adding to the diversity of traits seen in the offspring. This genetic contribution from both parents is fundamental to the principles of inheritance outlined by Mendelian genetics and the broader study of genetic variation in populations.

Understanding that traits arise from both parents helps clarify concepts such as genetic variation, heritability, and the role of alleles in trait expression.