Acquired vs. Inherited Characteristics

Front

What are inherited characteristics?

Back

Inherited characteristics are traits or features that are passed down from parents to their offspring through genes. Examples include eye color, hair type, and certain diseases.

Front

What are acquired characteristics?

Back

Acquired characteristics are traits or features that an individual develops during their lifetime due to experience or environment. Examples include language skills, riding a bike, or scars from injuries.

Front

Give an example of an inherited characteristic.

Back

An example of an inherited characteristic is having brown eyes, which is determined by the genes received from parents.

Front

Give an example of an acquired characteristic.

Back

An example of an acquired characteristic is learning to play the piano, which is a skill developed through practice.

Front

How do inherited characteristics differ from acquired characteristics?

Back

Inherited characteristics are genetic and present at birth, while acquired characteristics are learned or developed over time.

Front

Can you change an acquired characteristic?

Back

Yes, acquired characteristics can be changed or improved through practice and experience, such as improving athletic skills.

Front

Are all traits inherited?

Back

No, not all traits are inherited. Some traits are acquired through interaction with the environment.

Front

What is an example of a trait that is both inherited and acquired?

Back

An example is height; genetics (inherited) play a role, but nutrition and health (acquired) can also affect growth.

Front

What role do genes play in inherited characteristics?

Back

Genes are the basic units of heredity that carry information from parents to offspring, determining inherited traits.

Front

Can acquired characteristics be passed to offspring?

Back

No, acquired characteristics cannot be passed to offspring because they are not encoded in the genes.