Inherited vs. Acquired CSA Review

Which behavior is an example of an instinct, rather than a learned behavior?

• A dog fetches a stick when thrown by its owner.

• A bear hibernates during the winter without being taught.

• A chimpanzee uses a stick to retrieve ants from a tree.

• A parrot learns a new word from its owner.

Which behavior is an example of a learned behavior, rather than an instinct?

• A bird builds a nest using twigs and leaves.

• A dog sits on command after being trained.

• A spider spins a web in a specific pattern.

• A butterfly emerges from a cocoon and flies away.

Which question is asking about a learned behavior?

• Do all birds migrate to the same location each year?

• Do all birds learn to sing from their parents?

• Do all birds fly south for the winter?

• Do all birds build nests in trees?

Which of the following is an inherited trait? Select all that apply.

• Spider spinning a web

• Monkeys using tools

• A dog sitting on command

• Humans riding a bike

• Caterpillars transforming into butterflies

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Which of the following is a learned behavior? Select all that apply.

• Frogs jumping to escape danger

• Monkeys using tools

• Birds migrating

• Humans speaking English

• Baby sea turtles going toward the ocean after hatching

A dog starts wagging its tail when it hears the sound of a leash, without even seeing the leash.

Why does the dog start wagging its tail when it hears the sound of the leash?

• The dog is afraid of the leash.

• The dog has learned to associate the sound of the leash with going for a walk.

• The dog instinctively wags its tail when it hears a sound

• The dog inherited excitement about the sound of a leash from its parents.

The list describes some characteristics of a chimpanzee, which can be found in the wild.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHIMPANZEE

-can grow up to 4 to 5 feet in height and weigh between 70 to 130 lbs

-has an average lifespan of 33 years in the wild, but can live up to 58 years in captivity

-diet includes fruits, leaves, seeds, and insects, and sometimes other mammals

-uses tools like sticks or rocks to crack open nuts or gather food

-communicates through facial expressions, gestures, and vocalizations

-lives in large social groups and displays complex social behaviors

What two questions can be asked to determine which characteristics are learned behaviors?

• How do chimpanzees communicate with each other?

• How much do chimpanzees typically weigh in the wild?

• What tools do chimpanzees use to gather food?

• How long do chimpanzees live in the wild?

• What is the typical lifespan of chimpanzees in captivity?

Read the passage about Max.

Max has always struggled with math. His older sister, Emma, is great at it and has won several math awards. Max often feels frustrated because no matter how much he tries, he can’t seem to understand the concepts the way Emma does. One day, Max’s mom explains, “Math skills don’t just come naturally for everyone. It takes practice, and you’ll get better with time.”

Why does Max’s mom believe that Max can improve his math skills?

• Max’s math ability is inherited from his sister, so he will eventually become as good as her.

• Math is a skill that can be learned and improved over time, even if it doesn’t come easily.

• Max’s mom believes that math skills are inherited only from fathers, not mothers.

• Max’s sister learned math quickly, so Max must have inherited the ability from her.

Jackson knows that many of his characteristics were passed on to him by his parents. He also knows that many of his characteristics were acquired from his environment. What question can be asked to learn which characteristic was inherited by Jackson?

• Does he enjoy reading books?

• Does he have a job?

• Does he have blue eyes?

• Does he like to travel?

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Sophia and Emma are identical twins. Sophia has curly hair, is tall, and wears glasses. Emma has straight hair, is short, and does not wear glasses. Both girls are excellent at drawing, enjoy playing video games, and have a fondness for animals. Sophia plays the violin and Emma plays basketball. Which two questions can help them determine which traits are acquired physical traits?

• Why do the twins like animals?

• Why is Emma shorter than Sophia?

• Why does Sophia have curly hair and wear glasses?

• Why are the twins good at drawing?

• Why do the twins have differing heights?