Traits and Variations

What are physical traits?

• Observable characteristics of an organism

• Genetic makeup of an organism

• Emotional characteristics of an organism

• Invisible characteristics of an organism

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What are inherited traits?

• Skills acquired through practice

• Behaviors learned from peers

• Physical features acquired from the environment

• Characteristics passed down from parents to offspring through genes

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Provide an example of a learned trait in animals.

• Training and repetition

• Inherited and genetic

• Evolution and adaptation

• Instinct and genetics

What are genetic variations?

• Different hair colors within a family

• Variations in weather patterns

• Changes in the Earth's magnetic field

• Differences in the DNA sequence among individuals within a population

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Explain the difference between inherited and acquired traits.

• Inherited traits are developed during an individual's lifetime, while acquired traits are passed down from parents to offspring through genes.

• Inherited traits are a result of an individual's experiences and environment, while acquired traits are passed down from parents to offspring through genes.

• Inherited traits are not influenced by genes, while acquired traits are developed during an individual's lifetime.

• Inherited traits are passed down from parents to offspring through genes, while acquired traits are developed during an individual's lifetime as a result of their experiences and environment.

How do physical traits differ from behavioral traits?

• Physical traits and behavioral traits are the same thing.

• Physical traits are related to the organism's behavior, while behavioral traits are related to its appearance.

• Physical traits are only found in animals, while behavioral traits are only found in plants.

• Physical traits are related to the organism's appearance, while behavioral traits are related to its actions and reactions.

Give an example of an inherited trait in plants.

• Size of the roots

• Color of flowers or shape of leaves

• Type of soil they grow in

• Number of branches

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What are some examples of genetic variations in humans?

• clothes size, shoe size, intelligence

• Favorite food, musical talent, sense of humor

• Freckles, birthmark location, taste in music

• Eye color, hair color, height, susceptibility to diseases

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Explain the concept of acquired traits with an example.

• An example of acquired traits is a person developing calluses on their hands from playing guitar regularly.

• A person being born with a genetic disorder

• A person inheriting their parent's eye color

• A person developing a fear of heights after a traumatic experience

How do environmental factors influence acquired traits?

• By altering the genetic makeup of an organism directly

• Through changes in behavior and skills learned over an individual's lifetime

• Environmental factors have no influence on acquired traits

• By changing the physical appearance without affecting the genes