Heredity & Traits

Which physical characteristic of a puppy is most likely inherited from its parents?

• coat color

• desire to play fetch

• ability to follow commands

• tricks it has learned

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Sam adopts two puppies from the same litter. One is a long­haired,

short­tailed puppy and the other is a long­haired, long­tailed puppy.

What can most likely be concluded about the parents?

• Both parents have short hair.

• At least one of the parents has long hair.

• The parents both live in Sam’s neighborhood.

• One parent is a German Shepherd and the other is a Labrador.

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Emily has brown hair. Which is most likely a true statement about Emily?

• Emily’s favorite color is brown.

• Emily has a parent with brown hair.

• Emily’s older brother has brown hair.

Kara’s three sisters have black hair just like their mother. Which most

likely explains why Kara has brown hair?

• Kara’s mother prefers brown hair.

• Kara is younger than her sisters.

• Kara is older than her sisters.

• Kara’s father has brown hair.

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Which characteristic is not an inherited trait?

• eye color

• height

• personality

• skin color

The graphic below shows a lion attacking an antelope.

Which is most likely an example of a learned characteristic of the lion?

• large mane

• sharp claws

• hunting strategy

Which best describes an inherited trait?

• a characteristic one chooses to express

• a characteristic one receives from the food one eats

• a characteristic that is passed on from one’s parents

• a characteristic that is influenced by one’s surroundings

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Wesley practices hitting and throwing daily to prepare for baseball try-

outs. Why is he most likely disappointed to learn the coach is only taking

the tallest and fastest players?

• He cannot learn to throw farther.

• He cannot learn to hit harder.

• He cannot learn to run faster.

• He cannot learn to be taller.

Which of these behaviors did a bear most likely learn from living in its environment?

• drinking water

• eating fish

• opening garbage can lids

• protecting its young

Which feature of a bird is controlled only by inherited genes?

• diet

• habitat

• life span

• beak shape

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