Inherited and Acquired Traits

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What are inherited traits?

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Inherited traits are characteristics that are passed down from parents to their offspring through genes, such as eye color or fur type.

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NGSS.MS-LS3-2

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What are acquired traits?

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Acquired traits are characteristics that an organism develops during its lifetime due to environmental influences or experiences, such as a scar or a learned behavior.

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NGSS.3-LS3-2

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What is an instinct?

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An instinct is a behavior that is genetically programmed and does not need to be learned, such as a bird building a nest.

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What is a learned behavior?

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A learned behavior is a behavior that an organism acquires through experience or observation, such as a dog learning to sit.

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Can you give an example of an inherited trait in animals?

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An example of an inherited trait in animals is the color of a dog's fur.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-4

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Can you give an example of an acquired trait in animals?

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An example of an acquired trait in animals is a dog that learns to fetch a ball.

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NGSS.3-LS3-2

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How do instincts differ from learned behaviors?

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Instincts are innate and do not require learning, while learned behaviors are developed through experience.

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What is the role of genes in inherited traits?

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Genes carry the information that determines inherited traits, such as physical characteristics and behaviors.

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NGSS.HS-LS3-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

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What is an example of an instinct in humans?

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An example of an instinct in humans is the reflex to pull away from something hot.

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What is an example of a learned behavior in humans?

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An example of a learned behavior in humans is riding a bicycle.