Inherited or Acquired traits

Which of Lisa’s characteristics is learned?

• A. 67 inches in height

• B. blonde-colored hair

• C. brown-colored eyes

• D. jogging for a hobby

Gayle and her mother share many similarities. They are both athletic, musically talented, enjoy reading, have long hair, and have blue eyes. Which characteristic is inherited?

• A. athletic

• B. blue eyes

• C. long hair

• D. musically talented

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Sam is tall, enjoys playing baseball, loves vegetables, and runs track. Which characteristic is inherited from his parents?

• A. speed

• B. height

• C. running track

• D. taste for vegetables

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

Jill and Mary are sisters. Jill has brown hair, blue eyes, and enjoys dancing. Mary has blond hair, blue eyes, and enjoys singing. Why do Jill and Mary have differences in their appearance?

• A. Both Jill and Mary only inherited characteristics from each other.

• B. Jill and Mary inherited some characteristics from their mother and some from their father.

• C. Jill inherited all her characteristics from their father, and Mary inherited all her characteristics from their mother.

• D. Jill inherited all her characteristics from their mother, and Mary inherited all her characteristics from their father.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Why do children often look like their parents?

• A. because they eat the same foods as their parents

• B. because they inherit some traits from both their parents

• C. because they grow up in the same environment as their parents

• D. because boys inherit traits from their fathers, while girls inherit traits from their mothers

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Kimberly has attached earlobes and freckles. If Kimberly’s mother has detached earlobes and no freckles, which is most likely true about Kimberly’s father?

• A. He has detached earlobes and no freckles.

• B. He has attached earlobes and no freckles.

• C. He has detached earlobes and freckles.

• D. He has attached earlobes and freckles.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Which inherited characteristic will most likely protect a white snow rabbit from its predators?

• A. fur color

• B. pink eyes

• C. a long tail

• D. liking to eat seeds

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which is an example of a learned characteristic?

• A. being five feet tall

• B. having brown eyes

• C. being able to draw well

• D. having detached ear lobes

Which group of characteristics are inherited?

• A. eye color, hair color, and liking music

• B. widow’s peak, curly hair, and length of hair

• C. hair color, ability to roll tongue, and color blindness

• D. ability to roll tongue, soccer skill, and being left-handed

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which characteristic of a kitten is an acquired trait due to environmental influences?

• A. cleaning its ears

• B. sleeping on a chair

• C. sharpening its claws

• D. meowing when it is hungry