Unit 7: Inherited Traits vs. Learned Behaviors

Cora was sitting at her desk reading a book for several hours. After yawning, Cora noticed it was after 10 p.m. and decided to brush her teeth and go to bed. Which of Cora’s actions is a learned behavior?(4.10B)

• reading a book

• reading a clock

• brushing her teeth

• all answers are correct

Which of the following characteristics would be a learned behavior? (4.10B)

• a frog hides beneath the surface of a pond

• a rabbit stays very still when a dog approaches

• a dog chases squirrels and other small animals

• a parrot says “good morning”

Why are offsprings usually similar, but not identical, to their parents?

• inherited traits come from many different organisms

• inherited traits change over time

• inherited traits result from a combination of parental traits

• inherited traits are not always passed on to offspring

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

A plant produces a seed, and a new plant grows from the seed. Which statement is most likely to be true? (4.10B)

• the shape of the new plant’s leaves will be the same as the shape of its parent’s leaves

• the new plant will grow better with less water than its parents

• the new plant will produce the same number of flowers as its parents

• the new plant will be as tall as its parents

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

A dog can behave in many different ways. All of the following are learned dog behaviors, except ___.

• shaking body to dry off

• chasing and returning a tennis ball

• search for an injured person

• playing dead for treats

Tags

NGSS.4-LS1-2

When Leah says that she inherited her blue eyes from her mother, she means that___.

• her mother taught her how to make her eyes blue

• she developed blue eyes from growing up around her mother

• the trait for blue eyes was passed on to her when she was born

• she got blue eyes by living close to the ocean

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Elijah and his parents went to the zoo and observed the animals. Elijah wanted to remember what he saw so he decided to keep a journal. Here is a table of his observations. All of the observations demonstrate learned behaviors except ________.

• A limer’s black and white ringed tail

• An elephant rolling a block with his trunk

• A giraffe’s long neck and legs

• A lion’s sharp claws

A raccoon sneaks into a farmer's house to get some food. With its small, human-like paws, it opens a jar of peaches. However, it quickly scurries out of the house when the light comes on. Which statement describes an inherited trait of the raccoon?

• The raccoon sneaks into a farmer's house for food.

• The raccoon opens a jar to get peaches.

• The raccoon has paws that are small and human like.

• The raccoon leaves the house when the light comes on.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Animals are born knowing how to do some things. Other things animals must learn to do. Which of the following describes something an animal must LEARN to do?

• A cat hisses when it is afraid.

• A dog shakes hands to earn a treat.

• A fish uses its gills to take in oxygen from the water.

• A gerbil drinks water when it is thirsty.

A bird can learn behaviors based on experiences in its environment. Which of these is a learned behavior?

• A bird sits on its eggs to keep them warm until they hatch.

• A baby bird uses its beaks to break out of its egg.

• A bird returns to the same bird feeder every day.

• A bird molts its feathers and grows new ones each year.

Tags

NGSS.4-LS1-2