Traits: Inherited, Acquired, Learned, and Instincts

What is an inherited trait?

• A characteristic passed from a dog to his owner
• A characteristic passed from parents to their offspring.
• A behavior that an organism inherits.
• A trait that you learn from your teacher.

Which of the following are examples of inherited traits:

• blue eyes, brown hair, table manners
• speaking english, spanish and french
• red hair, brown eyes, curly hair
• playing video games, drawing, riding a bicycle

A learned behavior is something you learn from your experiences

• True
• False

Lying to stay out of trouble is an instinct

• True
• False

Most young animals inherit similar appearances, such as shape and color, from their parent animals. Which best describes why a baby deer (fawn) has spots when the adult deer do not?

• The spots help camouflage the fawn for protection.

• The spots help a fawn to be seen when crossing roads.

• The adult deer lose their spots by rubbing against trees.

• The adult deer rub their spots off over time

Emily has brown hair. Which is most likely a true statement about Emily?

• Emily’s favorite color is brown.

• Emily has a parent with brown hair.

• Emily’s older brother has brown hair.

• Emily was able to pick her hair color at birth

James and his father are both great athletes. Which characteristic did James most likely learn from his father?

• height and weight
• fast swimming stroke
• large feet and hands
• muscular body structure

Which characteristic would a child not inherit from one or both of its parents?

• freckles
• hair style
• eye color
• dimples

Which trait does a puppy inherit from its parents?

• fur color and pattern
• obedience to commands
• food brand preferences
• affection for a specific home

Which statement best supports why many offspring look similar to their parents?

• Offspring inherit characteristics from one parent.
• Offspring inherit characteristics from both parents.
• Parents choose which characteristics to pass on to their offspring.
• Parents choose to change their appearance to match that of their offspring.