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Worksheets

inherited & learned traits

Total questions: 75

Worksheet time: 3hrs 14mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Is the following a learned behavior or inherited trait? 
brown eyes
a)
inherited trait
b)
learned behavior
2.
Is the following a learned behavior or inherited trait? 
Jordan loves swimming
a)
inherited trait
b)
learned behavior
3.
Is the following a learned behavior or inherited trait? 
size of your hands
a)
inherited trait
b)
learned behavior
4.
Is the following a learned behavior or inherited trait? 
the ability to understand a language
a)
inherited trait
b)
learned behavior
5.
Which of the following describes a learned behavior in a dog?
a)
eating meat
b)
running fast
c)
digging holes
d)
guiding sheep
6.
Which of these is an example of learned behavior? 
a)
a spider making a web 
b)
geese migrating south for the winter 
c)
birds singing to each other
d)
a service dog helping its owner
7.
Which characteristic would most likely be inherited by a baby?
a)
brown hair
b)
crying a lot
c)
ability to jump high
d)
his ability to talk
8.
If a parent cactus has spines, the offspring will have  ______
a)
fruit
b)
spines
c)
leaves
d)
petals 
9.

a characteristic that is passed from parents to their offspring

a)

inherited traits

b)

instinctive behavior

c)

acquired trait

d)

learned behavior

10.

a behavior that an animal develops by observing other animals or by being taught

a)

learned behavior

b)

trait

c)

adaptation

d)

instinctive behavior

11.

Which of the following is an instinctive behavior that an animal could inherit from its parents?

a)

A raccoon taking lids off of trash cans to find food

b)

A dog barking loudly when the doorbell rings

c)

A seal balancing a ball on the end of its nose

d)

A bee flying from flower to flower to get nectar

12.

Which of the following is an example of a learned behavior?

a)

A turtle laying its eggs on the beach

b)

A dog retrieving a stick for its owner

c)

A bird migrating south for the winter

d)

A baby chick cracking open its shell

13.

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

a)

shape of leaves

b)

broken branches

c)

type of fruit

d)

flower color

14.

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

a)

Taking food from human campsites

b)

Having an excellent sense of smell

c)

Growling when there is danger

d)

Hibernating during the winter

15.

A group of science students created a chart to show what they knew about inherited traits and learned behaviors in children. Which of these is an inherited trait the students could put in that column of the chart?

a)

Cooking a meal

b)

Speaking English

c)

Crying when hurt

d)

Using a pencil

16.

Which of these is an inherited trait in human beings?

a)

Playing soccer

b)

Having blue eyes

c)

Being able to read

d)

Speaking Spanish

17.

Which of the following is a trait an organism learns during its lifetime?

a)

An elephant has a long trunk that curls up

b)

A baby bird grows thick feathers over time

c)

A tree’s leaves change colors in the autumn

d)

A dog recognizes the sound of its owner’s car

18.

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

a)

the type of fruit it produces

b)

roots that absorb nutrients

c)

a trunk scarred by lightning

d)

leaves that release oxygen

19.

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?

a)

Swimming in the ocean waters

b)

Feeding a baby chick when it hatches

c)

Having round tongues and special beaks

d)

Strong wings and webbed feet

20.

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

a)

It has brightly colored feathers.

b)

It eats seeds and drinks water.

c)

It repeats words after me.

d)

It has wings and can fly.

21.

All of the following are inherited traits in a coyote EXCEPT –

a)

growing tan fur

b)

having sharp teeth

c)

seeing well

d)

recognizing traps

22.

Which of the following characteristics did a horse most likely inherit from its parents?

a)

Torn ear

b)

Brown coat

c)

Broken tooth

d)

Scar on its back

23.

A pet dog often learns many new behaviors during its lifetime. All of these are behaviors it may learn EXCEPT –

a)

scratching an itch

b)

begging at the table

c)

rolling over on command

d)

barking when the doorbell rings

24.

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?

a)

Living in large groups with other chimps

b)

Walking quickly on both arms and legs

c)

Using a stick to dig ants out of the ground

d)

Sleeping at night and hunting during the day

25.

Which of these is an example of a learned behavior?

a)
b)
c)
d)
26.

Which choice is a correct definition of an inherited trait?

a)

A trait controlled by genes, passed from offspring to parent

b)

A behavior that results from an experience

c)

A trait controlled by genes, passedfrom parent to offspring

d)

A behavior that results from being taught something new

27.

Which of the following traits can humans inherit from their parents?

a)

Pierced ears

b)

Scar on the chin

c)

Brown hair

d)

Short hair

28.

The diagram below shows a flower.Which choice below is most likely an offspring of this flower?

a)
b)
c)
d)
29.

Which of the following observations of a new puppy is a learned behavior?

a)

The puppy drinks water.

b)

The puppy barks when it hears a noise.

c)

The puppy pees outside and not in the house.

d)

The puppy chews on its new toy.

30.

Some behaviors are inherited and some behaviors are learned. Which statement below is correct?

a)

Hummingbirds coming to a feeder every morning is a learned behavior.

b)

Sea otters using rocks to break open clams is an inherited behavior.

c)

Monarch caterpillars eating milkweed is a learned behavior.

d)

A dog begging for food is an inherited behavior.

31.

Which of the following is a learned behavior of human children?

a)

Crying when they get hurt

b)

Reading a book

c)

Pulling their handsaway from a hot stove

d)

Laughing when they are tickled

32.

Students were asked to complete the following chart in science class. How many traits below are inherited?

a)

1

b)

5

c)

3

d)

4

33.

What is the difference between an inherited behavior and an inherited trait?

a)

Inherited behaviors are controlled by genes and inherited traits are learned.

b)

Both are controlled by genes, but behaviors are physical and traits are actions.

c)

Inherited traits are controlled by genes and inherited behaviors are learned.

d)

Both are controlled by genes, but traits are physical and behaviors are actions.

34.

Which trait would a hamster most likely inherit from its parents?

a)

Having a small rip in its ear

b)

Having brown and white fur

c)

Loving to run on its wheel

d)

Responding to its name

35.

From whom does an organism inherit genetic information?

a)

The mother only

b)

Both mother and father

c)

The father only

d)

Neither mother nor father

36.

the seasonal movement of animals from one place to another

a)

hibernation

b)

dormancy

c)

migration

37.

behaviors that are inherited

a)

learned behaviors

b)

instinctive behaviors

c)

trait

38.

any living thing

a)

organism

b)

living

c)

trait

39.

new organisms that come from parents that have reproduced

a)

life cycle

b)

trait

c)

offspring

40.

-the passing of characteristics from one generation to another

a)

heredity

b)

inherited traits

c)

traits

41.
During the first day of spring, where does the sun rise and where does the sun set?
a)
Rises in the east and sets in the west
b)
Rises in the west and sets in the east
c)
Rises in the north and sets in the south
d)
Rises in the south and sets in the north
42.
True or False: Kids grow faster in the spring than any other time of the year.
a)
True
b)
False
43.
It is impossible for most people to lick their own elbow.
a)
True
b)
False
44.
Tigers have striped skin, not just striped fur.
a)
True
b)
False
45.

What can carrots help you do.

a)

Hear better

b)

See better

c)

Smell better

d)

Taste better

46.

What characteristic helps a whale protect itself from cold waters?

a)

thick layer of blubber

b)

blue color

c)

large body

d)

smooth skin

47.

The sharp talons of a hawk, help it

a)

run across the ground

b)

fly

c)

dig for food

d)

catch, hold and eat prey

48.

This peppered moth has structures that help it hide. Which envirnment will give this moth the best chance of survival?

a)

soil

b)

rocks

c)

water

d)

trees

49.

Some adaptations of a hawk are illustrated here. Which of these adaptations most help the hawk keep other hawks out of its territory by warning them from far away?

a)

Brown head

b)

Loud call

c)

Hollow bones

d)

Sharp claws

50.

Giraffes are animals that live in the grasslands of Africa. They have extremely long necks and long tongues. These two adaptations most likely help them –

a)

travel quickly across the plains

b)

reach food high in the trees

c)

defend themselves against predators

d)

tolerate the heat of their environment

51.

Which of the following is an example of a learned behavior?

a)

A turtle laying its eggs on the beach

b)

A dog retrieving a stick for its owner

c)

A bird migrating south for the winter

d)

A baby chick cracking open its shell

52.

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

a)

Taking food from human campsites

b)

Having an excellent sense of smell

c)

Growling when there is danger

d)

Hibernating during the winter

53.

Which of these is an inherited trait in human beings?

a)

Playing soccer

b)

Having blue eyes

c)

Being able to read

d)

Speaking Spanish

54.

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

a)

the type of fruit it produces

b)

roots that absorb nutrients

c)

a trunk scarred by lightning

d)

leaves that release oxygen

55.

A pet dog often learns many new behaviors during its lifetime. All of these are behaviors it may learn EXCEPT –

a)

scratching an itch

b)

begging at the table

c)

rolling over on command

d)

barking when the doorbell rings

56.

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

a)

Learned behavior

b)

Environmental response to change

c)

Results of a predator attack

d)

Inherited trait passed on from parent to offspring

57.

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

a)

They are learned behavior that absorb sunlight

b)

They are inherited traits that provide support for the plant

c)

They are inherited traits that keep animals away from the plant

d)

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

58.

Dolphins have fins used to swim, a blow hole used to breathe, echolocation internal sonar that helps them locate objects under water, and a long nose to hold bouncing balls. Which is an example of a learned behavior of dolphins?

a)

They have fins used to swim

b)

A blow hole used to breathe

c)

Echolocation, an internal sonar that helps them locate objects under water

d)

A long nose to hold bounce beach balls

59.

Which statement best explains the illustration above?

a)

The fox ability to hunt was passed down from its parent

b)

The fox ability to hunt is a learned behavior

c)

The Eagle is migrating for the winter month

d)

The rabbit is getting energy from the fox

60.
Which of these is an example of learned behavior? 
a)
a spider making a web 
b)
geese migrating south for the winter 
c)
birds singing to each other
d)
a service dog helping its owner
61.
Is the following a learned behavior or inherited trait? 
brown eyes
a)
inherited trait
b)
learned behavior
62.
Is the following a learned behavior or inherited trait? 
Jordan loves swimming
a)
inherited trait
b)
learned behavior
63.
Is the following a learned behavior or inherited trait? 
size of your hands
a)
inherited trait
b)
learned behavior
64.
Is the following a learned behavior or inherited trait? 
the ability to understand a language
a)
inherited trait
b)
learned behavior
65.
Which of the following is most likely inherited by flowering plants?
a)
lean on a pole
b)
the ability to produce cones
c)
the ability to produce seeds
d)
forming different shapes when trimmed
66.

Angela has brown hair and eyes like her mother.

a)

inherited

b)

learned

67.

The Easter Lilly has white flowers.

a)

inherited trait

b)

learned behavior

68.
Which characteristic did Malek most likely inherit from his parents?
a)
his ability to read fast
b)
his need to wear glasses
c)
his ability to speak English
d)
his need to count using his fingers
69.
Which characteristic would most likely be inherited by a baby?
a)
brown hair
b)
crying a lot
c)
ability to jump high
d)
his ability to talk
70.
A dog playing fetch is an example of?
a)
inherited trait
b)
learned behavior 
71.
A plant leaning towards the sun
a)
inherited trait
b)
learned behavior 
72.
Riding a bike
a)
inherited trait
b)
learned behavior 
73.

Corina was sitting at her desk reading a book for several hours. After yawning, Corina

noticed it was after 10 p.m. and decided to brush her teeth and go to bed. Which of

Corina’s actions is a learned behavior?(4.10B)

a)

reading a book

b)

reading a clock

c)

brushing her teeth

d)

all of the above

74.

Which of the following characteristics would be a learned behavior?

a)

a frog hides beneath the surface of a pond

b)

a rabbit stays very still when a dog approaches

c)

a dog chases squirrels and other small animals

d)

a parrot says “good morning”

75.
A behavior that is developed by observing others or by being taught is a 
a)
learned behavior 
b)
inherited trait
c)
adaptation 
d)
function