Final answer:
The statement that a gene cannot be inherited is false. Genes are inherited from parents to offspring, but inheritance patterns can be complex and not solely described by Mendelian genetics.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding the statement, "A gene cannot be inherited," the correct response is Option 2: False. Genes are indeed inheritable; they pass from parents to offspring. Inheritance patterns, however, can be more complex than the simple dominant and recessive patterns described by Mendelian genetics.
Each organism inherits two alleles for a given characteristic, one from each parent. These alleles can be the same (homozygous) or different (heterozygous), leading to various traits.
While Mendelian genetics explains many traits, there are exceptions. For instance, there could be multiple alleles for a gene within a population, and some traits are linked to sex chromosomes, like in X-linked inheritance. Moreover, traits can be influenced by multiple genes (polygenic inheritance), and gene expression can be affected by environmental factors or genetic interactions.
Therefore, while all genes have the potential to be inherited, the manifestation of traits can be influenced by various factors beyond the simple inheritance of alleles. Therefore answer is Option 2: False.