Final answer:
Common misbeliefs about non-heritable traits include thinking that all traits are inherited and that acquired traits such as dyed hair can be passed down, both of which are incorrect because heredity is based on genetic information, not changes made during the lifespan or simple Mendelian inheritance patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering a trait that is not heritable, common errors include thinking that all traits are inherited and that acquired traits can be passed on to offspring. For example, a person may dye their hair blue, mistakenly believing that their children could inherit this blue hair. However, this is incorrect because the inheritance of acquired traits is not possible; heredity operates through genetic information, not changes made to the physical body such as hair dyeing.
Furthermore, many assume that all traits show Mendelian inheritance patterns. In reality, the inheritance pattern of many traits cannot be accounted for by Mendel's genetics. Traits can be influenced by multiple genes (polygenic inheritance), as well as by environmental factors. Traits such as height or weight, which show a range of variability and can be measured, are typically polygenic, not Mendelian. Therefore, claiming a non-heritable trait, like a skill learned during one's life, is passed down through genes is a misunderstanding of how inheritance works.