Genetics

Genetics

Why We Are The Way We Are

Inherited Traits

An individual organism’s

life cycle will display

unique characteristics and

behaviors.

Inherited Traits

These traits can be a result

of genetic imprinting by the

parent organisms, or

developed uniquely as a part

of the organism’s lifestyle

and survival.

Inherited Traits

Traits that arise as a result of parent genes are called inherited traits. An organism is born, hatched, or sprouted with these DNA-controlled inherited traits in place.

Inherited Traits

Physical characteristics such as body structure, skin texture, fur coverings, facial shape, ear, eye and nose size and shape, and body, skin, or fur color are determined by the genetic traits of the parent animal.

Inherited Traits

In plants, flower color, stem height, root lengths, and shape of leaves are all traits inherited from the parent plants.

Inherited Traits

Parent features controlled by DNA can be dominant or recessive. Dominant characteristics can be displayed if one parent carries the trait. 

Inherited Traits

Recessive features can only show if both parents carry at least one recessive gene for the trait.

Inherited Traits

Patterns of behavior, called instincts, can also be classified as inherited traits.

Inherited Traits

A spider spinning a web, a bird building a nest, a lion eating meat, migration, hibernation, and some parenting behaviors are common examples of animal instincts that are inherited

Inherited Traits

Organisms can also display features and behaviors that are not a result of genetic patterns from parent organisms. These are called acquired traits.

Inherited Traits

While most observable plant and animal traits are inherited, some are acquired as they face the struggle to survive.

Inherited Traits

For example, a lion cub must learn to hunt, and much time and effort is needed to develop this skill.

Inherited Traits

Acquired traits cannot be passed onto offspring. They are not in genetic material (DNA).

Inherited Traits

For people, common inherited traits include earlobe attachment, dimples, handedness, curly hair, eye color, color blindness, tongue rolling, hairline shape, and some tasting characteristics and facial expressions.

Inherited Traits

Examples of acquired traits in people include riding a bike, playing an instrument, scars, hairstyle, and speaking multiple languages.

Inherited Traits

Gregor Mendel discovered the basic laws of heredity through his work with pea plants.

Inherited Traits

Mendel, 1822-1884, studied pea shape, pea color, pod shape, pod color, plant size, flower color, and position of flowers

Inherited Traits

His studies resulted in three laws: the law of dominance, the law of segregation, and the law of independent assortment

Multiple Choice

A trait that an organism is born with is

• an acquired trait

• an inherited trait

Multiple Select

In plants, flower color, stem height, root lengths, and shape of leaves are all traits inherited from the parent plants. Choose all that apply.

• flower color

• stem height

• root lengths

• leaf shapes

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