Inherited Traits and Instinctual Behaviors

An inherited trait means

• A characteristic passed on from parents to offspring.

• What offspring will learn from their parents

• How an animal’s habitat affects its survival

• How plants and animals meet their needs

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

What are some inherited traits and behaviors of this dolphin? ​ ​

Groups:

(a) Inherited

,

(b) Not Inherited

• Fins

• Jumping through a hoop

• Swimming

• Interacting with trainer

• Grey Skin

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

What are some inherited traits of this cactus?

Groups:

(a) Inherited

,

(b) Not Inherited

• Spines

• Green Stem

• Pink flowers

• Soil

• Brown pot

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

What are the instinctual behaviors?

Groups:

(a) Instinct

,

(b) Not an Instinct

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Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

What is an instinctual behavior?

• A behavior an organism is born knowing how to do.

• A behavior an organism must learn how to do.

• A behavior an organism teaches another organism.

What are inherted traits of this tiger?

Groups:

(a) Inherited

,

(b) Not Inherited

• Shape of ears

• Scar

• Orange fur

• Stripes

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

These are flowers on a dogwood tree.

Find what is inherited from the parent dogwood tree plant.

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Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

What is an inherited trait of a plant?

• The type of fruit it produces 
• Growing in a pot
• Where the plant will grow 
• Holes on leaves made by insects chewing it

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

A son and his mother are both good dancers. Which characteristic did the son most likely inherit from his mother? 

• Rhythm
• Sense of style
• Long legs
• Perfect shoes

Match the characteristics correctly

Groups:

(a) Inherited

,

(b) Not Inherited

• Nose piercing

• Eye color

• Skin color

• Blue Hair