The changes in germ cells of reproductive tissue of a sexually reproducing organism, which can be passed on to the next generation are called inherited trait. For example colour of the eye.

The changes in non -reproductive tissue of an organism, which can not be passed on to the progeny, because they do not involve any change in the DNA of germ cells, are called acquired traits. For example reduction in weight due to starvation. These are the traits acquired during lifetime of an individual and are not inherited because of lack of change in germ cells that participate in reproduction process.