Traits and Behaviors

Behaviors taught to an organism, or discovered through interactions with the environment. (where to find food or tie shoelaces)

• instincts

• learned behaviors

• inherited physical traits

• acquired physical traits

Physical characteristics passed down from parent to offspring. (eye color, fur pattern, flower petal color)

• instincts

• learned behaviors

• inherited physical traits

• acquired physical traits

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Physical traits developed after the organism is born (over time and later in life) and are not passed to offspring by parents (scar, limp).

• instincts

• learned behaviors

• inherited physical traits

• acquired physical traits

Which is an inherited physical trait passed from parent to offspring?

• knowledge from parent's education

• powerful muscles from parent's weight lifting

• scar from parent's injury

• baldness from parent's parent

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Which of the following is an example of an instinct that helps an animal survive?

• a skunk spraying a smelly mist for protection

• a raccoon learning to cross the road

• a dog fetching a ball

• a human riding a bicycle

Which scientist is known for his work on dominant and recessive traits?

• Albert Einstein

• Gregor Mendel

• Isaac Newton

• Marie Curie

Which investigation could help you determine whether this trait is an instinct?

• observe a family of dogs barking

• observe a puppy that has been raised by people

• observe a puppy that has been raised by other dogs

• observe a pack of wild dogs learning to hunt

When does an organism get an inherited trait?

• at maturity

• before birth

• after breeding

• during childhood

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Two students, Matt and Eric, are arguing over whether skin color is an inherited trait or an acquired trait. Matt says skin color is inherited, but Eric says that when he goes in the sun, his skin becomes darker, so it has to be an acquired trait. Who is correct?

• Matt, because skin color is determined by your parents.

• Eric, because if skin color changes, it cannot be inherited.

• Both Matt and Eric, because skin color is determined by parents, but can then change due to environmental factos.

• Neither Matt or Eric, because skin color is not dependent on parents or environmental factors.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Fur color of animals is a trait that is transferred from generation to generation. What are the structures that carry the information for these traits?

• the skin

• the genes

• the cytoplasm

• the nerves

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-1