Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors

All of the following can be inherited by the offspring of an apple tree EXCEPT–

• shape of leaves

• broken branches

• type of fruit

• flower color

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which of these is a learned trait that a bear could acquire during its lifetime?

• Taking food from human campsites

• Having an excellent sense of smell

• Growling when there is danger

• Hibernating during the winter

Which of these is an inherited trait in human beings?

• Playing soccer

• Having blue eyes

• Being able to read

• Speaking Spanish

Atlantic puffins are birds that live at sea. These birds use their wings to fly or swim. Puffins have round tongues and special beaks for eating fish. Both parents feed the baby chick when it hatches. Young chicks figure out how to fly, swim, and hunt by watching their parents. Which Atlantic puffin trait is a learned behavior?

• Swimming in the ocean waters

• Feeding a baby chick when it hatches

• Having round tongues and special beaks

• Strong wings and webbed feet

A student drew a picture of their pet parrot and listed its traits. Which of the parrot’s traits is learned?

• It has brightly colored feathers.

• It eats seeds and drinks water.

• It repeats words after me.

• It has wings and can fly.

Tags

NGSS.3-LS3-2

Which of these is an example of a learned behavior?

• 
• 
• 
• 

Chimpanzees are born with some inherited traits but learn others as they move around in their environment. Which of the following traits could a chimpanzee learn during its lifetime?

• Living in large groups with other chimps

• Walking quickly on both arms and legs

• Using a stick to dig ants out of the ground

• Sleeping at night and hunting during the day

All of these traits can be passed from a parent tree to its offspring EXCEPT –

• the type of fruit it produces

• roots that absorb nutrients

• a trunk scarred by lightning

• leaves that release oxygen

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Camels have two large humps that store fat. They use the fat stored in the humps in times when food water is scarce. The large humps on their backs are

• Learned behavior

• Environmental response to change

• Results of a predator attack

• Inherited trait passed on from parent to offspring

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

How do the sharp spines on the cactus help it to survive?

• They are learned behavior that absorb sunlight

• They are inherited traits that provide support for the plant

• They are inherited traits that keep animals away from the plant

• They are a response to the environment to carry food to the flower

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS4-4