BGSA Life Science

Which question can be asked to learn about the inherited physical traits of the cow?

• How old is the cow?

• Has the cow been fed today?

• Is the cow tame enough to pet?

• Why does the cow have brown fur?

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The eastern box turtle lives in Georgia.

Characteristics of an Eastern Box Turtle

• can live 50 years or more

• will hide in its shell when frightened

• has a dark shell with many yellow or orange spots

• eats mushrooms, berries, fruits, worms, and insects

Which question can be asked to find out which characteristic is a learned behavior?

• Do all eastern box turtles like the same food?

• Do eastern box turtles in other states live for 50 years?

• Do eastern box turtles in other states have the same color of spots?

• Do all eastern box turtles hide in their shells when they are frightened?

Bottlenose dolphins live off the coast of Georgia.

Characteristics of Bottlenose Dolphins

• have 86 to 100 sharp teeth

• are light gray to almost black in color

• can be eaten by sharks and killer whales

• live in groups of females and groups of males

Which question can be asked to find out which characteristic of bottlenose dolphins is an instinct?

• Why do bottlenose dolphins live in groups?

• Why do sharks and killer whales hunt bottlenose dolphins?

• How many teeth do bottlenose dolphins have when they are born?

• How does the color of bottlenose dolphins help them hide from predators?

Traits of a Football Player

• is the youngest of four children

• has brown hair and brown eyes

• is taller than the other teammates

• is good at throwing and catching a

football

Which question would help the student determine which trait on the list is an acquired physical trait

of the football player?

• How tall is the football player?

• Does the football player have any siblings?

• Why does the football player have brown eyes and hair?

• Has the football player always been good at catching a football?

Inherited traits are passed from parent(s) to offspring. Fur color and beak shape are examples of inherited traits that are passed down from parents to offspring.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Acquired traits are developed after the organism is born and are not passed to offspring by parents. Having a scar or being a fast runner are examples of acquired traits.

• True

• False

What goes in the missing box?

• 2a has gills

  2b has scales

• 2a is warm blooded

  2b is cold blooded

• 2a has wings

  2b does not have wings

• 2a has six legs

  2b does not have six legs

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

• Does it produce cones?

• Does it grow into a tree?

• Does it produce flowers?

• Does it have roots, stems, or leaves?

______________ have a backbone, or spine, that runs the length of their body, and they are sorted into five groups: fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal

• Vertebrates

• Invertebrates

Animals without backbones are known as _______. They include insects, spiders, and crabs

• invertebrates

• vertebrates