Inherited vs Learned/Acquired Traits

The stripes on a Zebra make it stand out on the African savannah, but when in large groups (herds) the stripes of many Zebras together make each individual blend into the crowd. This makes it harder for predators to focus in on one individual. These stripes are an example of....

• An acquired trait

• A learned behavior

• An inherited trait

• An inherited behavior (instinct)

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

The Rafflesia flower is a type of parasite. This plant grows onto, and into the stems of other plants and can have enormous flowers. The flower smells like rotting meat. This smell attracts insects helping the plants to spread their pollen. The smell this plant produces is an example of....

• An inherited Trait

• A learned behavior

• An acquired trait

• An inherited behavior (instinct)

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

This Panther has been in a battle with a rival panther for food. The panther won the battle but has been left with injuries that will scar over time. These scars are an example of an....

• An inherited triat

• An acquired triat

• A learned behavior

• An inherited behavior

Leaves come in many different sizes and shapes and help us to identify different plant species. The shape of a plants leaf is an...

• An inherited behavior (instinct)

• An acquired trait

• A learned behavior

• An inherited trait

Tags

NGSS.3-LS3-1

NGSS.3-LS3-2

Your earlobes can be either, attached at the base, or detached and hanging down. This is something offspring get from their parents. This is an example of...

• An inherited behavior (instinct)

• A learned behavior

• An inherited trait

• An acquired trait

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

This dog is playing fetch with a large stick. This in an example of...

• A learned behavior

• An inherited behavior (instinct)

• An acquired trait

• An inherited trait

Bees will huddle together and shake, and vibrate their bodies. This behavior helps them to communicate and stay warm. This is an example of ...

• An inherited trait

• An acquired trait

• A learned behavior

• An inherited behavior (instinct)

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

As plants grow, their stems will grow upward, so the leaves can collect energy from the sun, and the roots will grow down reaching for the water in the soil. This behavior will happen no matter what direction you point the seed (it uses gravity to tell which way is up and down). This is an example of...

• An inherited behavior (instinct)

• A learned behavior

• An inherited trait

• An acquired trait.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Flowers come in many different colors. The color of flower a plant has is determined by the color flower its parent plants had. The color a flower is an...

• An acquired trait

• An inherited trait

• A learned behavior

• An inherited behavior

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

This in an African elephant, which of these traits is a learned behavior?

• This elephant has a scar on its left hind leg from an attack by lions

• This elephant will move grow its tusks longer as it ages

• This elephant stays away from humans

• This elephant will protect its offspring from predators