Heredity Test

1. Which characteristic would a child NOT inherit from one or both of its parents?

• freckles
• hair style
• dimples
• eye color

2. Why do dogs have most of the characteristics of their parents?

• They inherit them from their parents.
• They live in the same habitat as their parents.
• They learn by observing their parents.
• They eat the same foods as their parents.
• Option 5

3. Which is a characteristic of a dog that is most likely the result of its environment?

• Its ability to see in the dark
• Its color
• The length of its ears
• Its food preference

4. Jeremy is visiting a zoo and notices that zebras are herding together in their habitat. Jeremy wonders why the zebras, even the babies, do this. Which question would most likely help him understand this behavior?

• Is it instinctual for zebras to herd together?
• Is there a limit on how many zebras can herd together?
• How many characteristics do the zebras in the herd share?
• How many zebras in the herd have similar color patterns?

5. Alyssa is in sixth grade. She and her mom share the same eye and hair color. They are planning a trip to Mexico. Alyssa's mom can speak Spanish, but Alyssa cannot. Why is Alyssa unable to speak Spanish?

• Alyssa's mom inherited the ability to speak Spanish, but Alyssa did not.
• Alyssa only inherited the ability to speak English from her mom.
• Alyssa cannot learn to speak Spanish because she is too young.
• Alyssa's mom learned to speak Spanish, but Alyssa did not.

6. A student has two hamsters that are brothers. One hamster is named Arnold, and the other is named Chester. Arnold gets a lot of exercise because the student puts Arnold in a cage with a hamster wheel. Chester does not exercise as much as Arnold because the student puts Chester in a different cage without a hamster wheel. After one month, the student notices that Arnold can run much faster than Chester. Which choice best summarizes the student’s observations?

• Arnold inherited the ability to run faster by exercising.
• Arnold acquired the ability to run faster by exercising.
• Chester inherited the ability to run faster by exercising.
• Chester acquired the ability to run faster by exercising.

7. Which trait do children most likely inherit from their parents?

• shape of their earlobes
• length of hair
• knowing how to play basketball
• the language they speak

8. Which of these is a learned behavior for a dog?

• walking on four legs
• rolling over on command
• panting
• barking

9. Which sentence is true?

• Acquired traits are passed from parent to offspring.
• Inherited traits are passed from parent to offspring.
• Behaviors are never inherited
• Behaviors are always inherited.

10. Which of these traits is NOT passed onto the offspring of a tree?

• the shape of its leaves
• roots that grow toward water
• a trunk scarred by lightning
• the kind of seeds it forms