Advantages of Traits

Advantages of Traits

Multiple Choice

The plant on the right has small thorns and the plant on the left has big thorns. Which plant do you think is most likely to be eaten?

• The plant with small thorns

• The plant with big thorns

Advantages of Traits

Different individuals have different variations of traits. Some variations of traits can give organisms advantages or disadvantages in surviving, hunting prey, hiding from predators, finding mates, and reproducing.

Open Ended

What are some advantages of traits?

Multiple Choice

Is a polar bear blending into the snow when hunting a trait advantage?

• Yes

• No

Alligator Advantages

Alligators have many variations of traits. One trait that can vary is the distances between the eyes. Alligators with more distance between their eyes have better eyesight. This advantage of trait can help them see predators when they are babies, and when they are older it can help them find food.

Multiple Select

How does a wider eye position give an alligator an advantage? Select all that apply. (2)

• To see predators

• To swim faster

• To grow bigger

• To hunt prey

Camouflage

Another advantage can be found in the animal's coloring. Camouflage allows an animals to blend in with its surroundings. Variations in animals colorings can affect their ability to camouflage with their environment which is important to hide from predators. Animals with better camouflage are more likely to survive.

Multiple Choice

What is camouflage?

• an inherited behavior, something the animal is born knowing what to do

• allows an animal to blend in with its surroundings

• a set of instructions given from parent to offspring

• a characteristic of an organism

Advantages in Traits in Plants

Plants also have advantages with certain variations of traits. Flowers that are brighter and more fragrant are more likely to attract insects to help them reproduce. Also, plants with better defenses such as larger thorns are more likely to survive being eaten. Therefore, depending on the variation of traits an organism receives determines whether they have an advantage or disadvantage in a certain environment.

Multiple Select

What types of traits can help a flower reproduce? Select all that apply. (2)

• The color of the flower

• The size of the flower

• How well you can smell the flower

• Where the flower is located

Open Ended

Why would a plant with small thorns have a disadvantage over a plant with large thorns?