Genetics Introduction

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Observe this picture, try to think about the similarities and differences between the people shown.

Open Ended

What are some similarities between the people shown?

Write at least 3

Open Ended

What are some differences between the people shown?

Write at least 3

Open Ended

What inferences can you make about this picture and the people in in?

This is a family, the parents are in the middle of the bottom row.

7 people in this family died from stomach cancer

Genetics

Essential question: How do organisms pass on characteristics to their offspring?

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Genetics Topics

• Inheritance and Traits

• DNA structure and function

• Modern Genetics

• Genetic Change over time

Lesson 1. Inheritance and Traits

How are traits passed on from parents to offspring?

Traits

Traits are any characteristic present in an organism.

We have acquired traits and inherited traits.

Acquired Traits

These are due to experience or environment, they are acquired in your lifetime.

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Example: Flamingos are born white

but get their pink color due to

a substance in their food. ​

Open Ended

Give an example of an aquired trait

Inherited Traits

These are traits that are coded in your DNA and are inherited from your parents. They are passed on from generation

to generation.

Examples- The girls in the family obtain

their red hair from their mom.​

Open Ended

Give an example of an inherited trait

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture. What type of trait is it?

Speaking different languages.

• inherited

• learned

Multiple Choice

Which of the following characteristics of a rabbit was most likely inherited from its parents?

• Bent whiskers

• Missing tooth

• Long ears

• Broken foot

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture. What type of trait is it?

Eye color.

• inherited

• acquired

Multiple Choice

Look at the picture. What type of trait is it?

A dog that sits when told to.

• inherited

• learned

Multiple Choice

All of the following can be inherited by the offspring of an apple tree EXCEPT--

• shape of leaves.

• broken branches.

• type of fruit.

• flower color.

Multiple Choice

A rosebush has thorns. Those thorns are an inherited trait that comes from–

• the parent plants of the rosebush.

• the soil in which the rosebush grows.

• the sunlight absorbed by the rosebush.

• the climate in which the rosebush lives.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following behaviors of a dog is most likely learned?

• Panting in warm weather

• Playing fetch with a ball

• Barking at other dogs

• Chasing smaller animals

Multiple Choice

Playing volleyball

• Acquired

• Inherited

Multiple Choice

Having brown hair

• Acquired

• Inherited

Multiple Choice

Having scars

• Acquired

• Inherited

Summary

Traits are any characteristic present in an organism.

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Inherited traits are traits coded in DNA and passed on from parents to offspring

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Acquired traits are traits due to enviroment or experience. ​

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