Inherited and Acquired Traits Study Guide

Mitchell's class is studying inherited and acquired physical traits. His teacher assigned him to collect data from his class about hair color. Which question would be MOST important for Mitchell to ask his classmates when determining if his classmates' hair color is inherited or acquired?

• Is your hair dyed?

• What color is your father's hair?

• What color hair is most common in your family?

• Does anyone in your family have the same color hair?

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which statement regarding inherited traits is correct?

• Inherited traits are determined by your parents.

• Inherited traits are learned through experience.

• Inherited traits make all siblings look the same.

• Inherited traits are influenced by the environment.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Camille put her hand on the hot stove and quickly pulled her hand away when she felt the heat. Which question could one ask Camille to determine if her behavior was learned or if it was an instinct?

• Is this something you would do again?

• Had anyone ever taught you to pull your hand away when you touched hot items?

• Would an oven mitt have prevented your hand from touching the hot part of the stove?

• Could taking cooking classes of prevented you from touching the hot part of the stove?

Which of the following is a learned behavior?

• baby crying

• playing with friends

• birds flying in groups

• bats sleeping upside down

Which statement describes instinctive behaviors?

• Instinctive behaviors are those acquired by exposure to environmental factors.

• Instinctive behaviors are those that parents teach to their offspring.

• Instinctive behaviors are those that are genetically determined.

• Instinctive behaviors are those that require practice to perfect.

Which statement describes an inherited trait?

• a trait influenced by an organism's diet

• a trait modified by an organism's behavior

• a trait present at birth that remains unchanged

• a trait acquired through exposure to an environmental factor

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which statement correctly describes learned behaviors?

• Learned behaviors are genetically determined.

• Learned behaviors stay constant despite experience.

• Learned behaviors do not require practice to perfect.

• Learned behaviors are taught by others.

Elena is a brown-haired girl that lives with her Mom and Dad. She can speak Spanish and English. Her long fingers enable her to be an excellent piano player. She enjoys eating pizza and chicken fingers, but her Mom is a terrible cook. Her favorite subject is Science, and she hopes to be an astronaut one day. Which question could you ask to find out more about Elena’s inherited traits?

• Can Elena’s dad play the piano?

• Can Elena’s mom speak Spanish?

• Does Elena’s dad like to eat pizza?

• Does Elena’s mom have brown hair?

Which question could ALWAYS be asked to determine if a trait is inherited or acquired?

• When did that change?

• Why do you have that?

• Were you born with that?

• Do your parents look like you?

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Which of the following questions would BEST contrast learned behaviors from instincts?

• Is it fun to go rollerblading?

• Where do you like to go on vacation?

• What is the favorite flavor of ice cream at your school?

• Did your dog attend obedience school to learn how to sit?