5th Grade Traits

Inherited Traits and
Learned Behaviors

We are learning to explain and give

examples of inherited traits and learned

behaviors

How would you describe yourself?

● I might say that I have brown eyes and

that I like to shop.

● Let’s make a list of words / phrases that

describe you!!!

● Now let’s look at your list…how many of

your words / phrases could also describe
someone in your family?

Open Ended

Let’s make a list of words / phrases that describe you!!!

How would you describe yourself?
(cont.)

● Maybe no one in my family likes to shop,

but one of my parents has brown eyes.

● Your eye color came from your parents,

but you learned to like shopping.

Humans (and other animals) are a mix of
characteristics from their parents and
behaviors they learn on their own.

● An inherited traitis a characteristic that is

passed onto offspring.

Inherited Traits (cont.)

● Eye color
● Skin color
● Hair color
● Curly or straight hair
● Dimples
● Freckles
● Height

Inherited Traits (cont.)

Are your earlobes attached to the side of
your head, or do they hang free?

● The shape of your earlobe is an inherited

trait

● Tongue rolling

Inherited Traits (cont.)

Some of your traits are inherited, but not
seen

● Blood type
● Handedness
● Red / Green color blindness
● Some diseases / disorders

Inherited Behaviors

● A behavior is a way of acting. Behaviors

can be inherited.

● Behaviors that are passed from parent to

offspring are called instincts.

● Many animals are born with instincts that

help them survive.

● Can you think of any animal instincts?

Inherited Behavior Examples

● Some animals head for warmer climates

(migrate). Other animals find a safe spot
and curl up for a long sleep (hibernate).

● No one taught these animals how to

survive winters. They know what
to do by instinct.

Inherited Behavior Examples

(cont.)

● Birds protect their eggs and babies by

instinct.

● Frogs are not born with this instinct. They

leave their eggs to hatch or die on their
own.

Learned Behaviors

● Are you better at using the computer than

some of the adults in your family? It is
because you learned this, you did not
inherit this behavior.

● Learned behaviors are caused by the

environment.

Learned Behaviors (cont.)

● We learn many behaviors that we use

everyday.

● These behaviors include: how to get

dressed, brush your teeth, make a
sandwich, ride a bike,and be polite to
others.

Learned Behaviors (cont.)

Can you learn behaviors that do not help
you?

● Yes!
● They can include watching too much

television or eating poorly.

Can animals learn behaviors?
● Yes!
● Can your dog sit? fetch? beg?

Summary…

● An inherited trait is a characteristic that is

passed from parents to their babies
(offspring).

● A behavior is a way of acting.
● Inherited behaviors are called instincts.
● Learned behaviors are not inherited but

learned from others.

Quiz Time

Multiple Choice

Which of these is an inherited trait?

• Liking the color red

• Having long fingers

• Combing your hair everyday

• Being a good musician

Multiple Choice

Which of these is a learned behavior?

• Being right handed

• Having curly hair

• Heading south for the winter

• Liking peanut butter and jelly sandwiches

Multiple Choice

Which of these can you change?

• Your instincts

• Your inherited traits

• Your learned behaviors

• Your inherited behaviors

Multiple Choice

A woman is an excellent cook.

Why are her children likely to become good cooks?

• They will learn to cook by instinct

• They will learn to cook by watching and practicing

• They will inherit her cooking skills

• Cooking is an inherited trait

A woman is an excellent cook. Why are
her children likely to become good
cooks?

a. They will learn to cook by instinct
b. They will learn to cook by watching and

practicing

c. They will inherit her cooking skills
d. Cooking is an inherited trait

b