Acquired vs Inherited Traits

Ch3 L3 Inherited Traits

What plant and animal characteristics are inherited?

What you will learn from today's lesson:

• Most traits are passed down from parents. 

• Different individuals have different traits. 

• Some traits are influenced by the environment.

Multiple Choice

What is an inherited trait?

• An inherited trait is money given to you by a loved one.

• An inherited trait is a new advantage never seen in the family before.

• An inherited trait is a characteristic passed down from parents.

Offspring

Offspring may look similar to the parents because traits were passed down from both the mother and the father to the offspring.

Multiple Choice

Will multiple offspring from the same parents look the same?

• No. Different traits from the mother and father are passed down to each offspring. Siblings (like two sisters) may look very similar but not EXACTLY the same.

• Yes. All traits from the mother and father are passed down to each offspring so siblings (like two sisters) look very similar.

No.

Different traits from the mother and father are passed down to each offspring. Siblings may look very similar but not EXACTLY the same.

It's not just humans

Individuals of any type of plant or animals have different traits, even if they look similar.

Watch a video together

https://www.generationgenius.com/videolessons/variation-of-traits-video-for-kids/

Multiple Choice

Why do the puppies look different from their mom or dad?

• Because they have different dads and they inherited traits only from their dads.

• Because they have inherited traits from both the mom and the dad & each one inherited slightly different traits.

• Because they have inherited traits only from their grandparents, which are different for each of them.

Examples of inherited traits

Multiple Choice

How might the position of a baby alligator's eyes affect its chances of survival?

• If one has eyes closer to

  one another, it may be more likely to see food directly in front of them.

• If one has lighter color

  eyes, it may be more likely to attract a mate.

• If one can see more, it may be more likely to survive because it can better detect predators.

Open Ended

Why might different species in the same environment share some traits?

The video mentioned that some traits are influenced by environment.

For example, if a person is born with the potential to grow very tall, but they don't get proper nutrition, it is unlikely that they will be tall.

Environmental Example

Scientists think that poison dart frogs get their poison from the insects they eat. It is not simply something they are born with.

Want to test this at home?

Plant Growth Conditions DIY 

• You will need bean seeds, small cups, a bag of potting soil, dry dirt, cotton balls, a plate, and a spray bottle of water.

• Your teacher will provide you with the complete instructions.