Heredity and Genetics

1. Which characteristic is NOT an inherited trait?

• A. size

• B. eye color

• C. skin color

• D. personality

2. Which characteristic did Malek most likely inherit from his parents?

• A. his ability to read fast

• B. his need to wear glasses

• C. his ability to speak English

• D. his need to count using his fingers

3. Which is a learned characteristic expressed by a professional swimmer?

• A. swimming speed

• B. wide arm stroke

• C. long body build

• D. good eyesight

4. How does a tiger get stripes?

• A. from its environment

• B. from its food

• C. from its offspring

• D. from its parents

5. Which feature of a bird is controlled only by inherited genes?

• A. diet

• B. habitat

• C. life span

• D. beak shape

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6. James is a fifth grade boy with brown hair and blue eyes. Which best explains why James has brown hair?

• A. Brown hair is an inherited characteristic in James’s family.

• B. Brown hair is a popular hair color among fifth grade boys.

• C. Brown is his mother’s favorite color.

• D. Brown is his favorite color.

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7. The graphic above shows a lion attacking an antelope. Which is most likely an example of a learned characteristic of the lion?

• A. large mane

• B. sharp claws

• C. ability to hunt

• D. night vision

8. Which is an example of an inherited characteristic?

• A. love of music

• B. fear of spiders

• C. ability to hit a ball

• D. presence of dimples

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9. Lucas and his sisters can roll their tongues and play the piano. His mother and his brother cannot roll their tongues nor play the piano. What can most likely be concluded about Lucas’s father?

• A. His father can roll his tongue.

• B. His father can play the piano.

• C. His father can roll his tongue and play the piano.

• D. His father cannot roll his tongue nor play the piano.

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10. Which is a behavior in humans that is most often passed on from parent to offspring?

• A. ability to walk on two legs

• B. ability to play sports

• C. ability to drive a car

• D. ability to somersault