Genetics Review

A student sees a turtle laying its eggs on the beach. Which of the following is an example of a question the student could ask to decide whether this is a learned behavior or an instinct?

• How long does it take for turtles of this type to lay their eggs on the beach?

• Does the turtle have to see other turtles laying eggs on the beach to know how to do that?

• Do other types of turtles also lay their eggs on the same beach at the same time?

• After laying the eggs, does the turtle remain on the beach to care for the newly hatched turtles?

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

All of the following can be inherited by the offspring of an apple tree EXCEPT

• the shape of its leaves.

• its broken branches.

• its type of fruit.

• its flower color.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A student observes a tree that is shaped like a cone. What question would help the student decide whether this shape is inherited or acquired?

• Do all the trees of this kind have that same cone shape?

• Are there more birds in the cone-shaped tree?

• Does this cone-shaped tree produce more seeds?

• Is there a water source close to the cone-shaped tree?

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

A group of students watches sea lions on some rocks. They hear the sea lions barking loudly. Which of the following is the best question to ask to help them figure out if barking is an instinct or a learned behavior?

• Does the sea lions’ barking help them find more food?

• Do baby sea lions bark from the time they are born?

• Do other kinds of ocean animals make a similar sound?

• Does the barking mean there is a predator nearby?

The characteristics of a dolphin are shown in the illustration.

The dolphin inherited all of these characteristics from its parents EXCEPT -

• its blowhole, for breathing.

• its scars from a motor boat.

• its long, rounded snout.

• its broad, flat tail

Match the definition to the correct word.

Inherited trait

• Things that an organism learned to do by interacting with its environment

• The passing of traits from parents to offspring

• A new organism produced by one or more parents

• Traits that an organism inherits from its parents

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Match the definition to the correct word.

Offspring

• Things that an organism learned to do by interacting with its environment

• The passing of traits from parents to offspring

• A new organism produced by one or more parents

• Traits that an organism inherits from its parents

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

Match the definition to the correct word.

Heredity

• Things that an organism learned to do by interacting with its environment

• The passing of traits from parents to offspring

• A new organism produced by one or more parents

• Traits that an organism inherits from its parents

Match the definition to the correct word.

Learned Behavior

• Things that an organism learned to do by interacting with its environment

• The passing of traits from parents to offspring

• A new organism produced by one or more parents

• Traits that an organism inherits from its parents

Tags

NGSS.4-LS1-2

A student notices behaviors in dogs and wonders which behavior the child will need to teach the dog. Which of the following testable questions will the student need to investigate to know that it is a learned behavior?

• Will my puppy drool whenever I put food in front of it?

• Will my puppy know how to catch a ball and return it on command?

• Will my puppy scratch itself if a bug bites it?

• Will my puppy shed its fur in the summertime when the weather changes?