Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors

Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors

Open Ended

A rancher drives a truck to the gate of the cow pasture. He takes feed from the back of the truck and leaves it for the cows. After several days, the cows begin to walk towards the truck when they see or hear it coming.

Is this describing an inherited trait or a learned behavior? Explain why.

Open Ended

Dolphins in a theme park are able to jump out of the water on command. They are fast swimmers! Their long snouts and rounded heads that have no distinct separation from the rest of their bodies help move through the water easily when swimming. Dolphins breathe through blowholes positioned on top of their heads.

What information is describing inherited traits? What information is describing a learned behavior? Explain why.

Multiple Choice

A mother and daughter both have light brown eyes. This is an example of

• a learned behavior

• a phenomenon

• an accident

• an inherited trait

Multiple Choice

Which of these is an example of learned behavior?

• red hair

• green eyes

• reading a book

• freckles