Acquired and Inherited Traits

​Objective DOL

I will be able to understand
inherited and acquired traits.

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Given 5 questions, I will differentiate between inherited and acquired traits by explaining how character traits passed down can be changed into an acquired trait, answering with 100% accuracy. 

​Check off the family traits that have been passed down to you.

Multiple Choice

Heredity and genetics are closely related, but they are not exactly the same thing. Heredity is the process of passing traits from parents to their offspring, like eye color, height, or hair type. It’s about how traits are inherited through generations. On the other hand, genetics is the scientific study of how these traits are passed down. Genetics focuses on the genes in your DNA that carry the information for these traits. So, heredity is what happens naturally when traits are passed down, while genetics is the study of how and why that happens.

Based on your understanding of heredity and genetics, how would you analyze the relationship between the two concepts? Which statement best explains how heredity and genetics work together to pass traits from one generation to the next?

• Heredity passes traits from parents to offspring, while genetics explains the scientific process behind it.

• Genetics is the study of how traits are randomly passed down, while heredity is unpredictable.

• Heredity controls which traits are passed, while genetics determines how many traits are inherited.

• Genetics prevents traits from being passed, while heredity allows them to be inherited.

Open Ended

Meet Maria and Lucy’s family.

Maria and Lucy are TWINS!

They each inherited different characteristics from their Mom and dad.

1. What are some characteristics of Maria?

2. What are some characteristics of Lucy?

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Families have characteristics  in common because of the traits that are passed from the parents to the next generations that follow

​Traits

​WA-

Can you think of an example where family members share a physical or behavioral trait?

Multiple Choice

Turn and Talk+MC-

After reviewing the picture of a cell and learning about traits, how would you analyze where the genetic material that creates traits is stored?

• In the cell membrane, which controls what goes in and out of the cell.

• In the nucleus, where chromosomes that contain DNA are found.

• In the mitochondria, which provide energy for the cell.

• In the ribosomes, where proteins are made.

1. Genes

   DNA is divided into sections.  Each gene is a section of DNA on a

   chromosome with instructions for one trait. Each gene is related

   to a trait, or characteristic, such as hair texture, fur color,

   plant height, etc. Genes are inherited, or passed down, from parent to offspring.

   Annotate

2. Chromosomes

   Human cell nucleus contains 46 chromosomes, or 23 pairs

   • One set from dad – 23 cell

   • One set from mom – 23 cells cell

   23rd chromosome pair determines if we are male or female

   XY- Male      XX- Female

   
   

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Whiteboard-
How many chromosomes do human offspring get from each parent?

Open Ended

Pick one trait that you know you share with one of your family members.  Write an explanation using the terms you learned on why you share that trait with your parent. 

A trait that an organism is born with that is obtained from parents or ancestors

• Determined by information found in the genes within chromosomes inside the nucleus of cells

• Gene - a segment of DNA that has the code for a specific trait 

• Chromosome - the location where genetic information is stored within the nucleus of a cell

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You are born with inherited trait, you are also born with instincts. Instincts are behaviors that we are born knowing how to do and they are important for survival. When babies are born, they know they need to cry to communicate with their parents. Animals are also born with instincts. Worms know to dig into the ground to take shelter and look for nutrients. Birds know how they need to build a safe nest. Calves are born knowing how to stand, walk, and drink their mother's milk. Spiders know how to spin their web. 

One  of the most important instinct for people and animals is called "fight or flight." When faced with a dangerous situation, this instinct will I tell your body whether you should run to safety or stay and fight to defend yourself. Even our sense of right and wrong is an instinct. This instinct can sometimes be affected by your environment. A few more examples of instincts are swimming to the surface of the water to breathe, jumping when you get scared, and eating when you are hungry.  

​Annotate-
Instinct

Multiple Select

Which of the examples of instinctive behaviors? Select all that apply and justify on whiteboard.

• Hunting

• Fishing

• Migrating

• Picking berries

• Hibernating

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Some traits are not inherited; they are learned behaviors called acquired traits. We're surrounded by a variety of people. A person can change based on lifestyle choices or environmental influences.

Every person is different. Each family is different. Some people have tattoos. Some people have piercings. Some people have changed their hair color. These are all examples of acquired traits. These traits cannot be passed. These are traits acquired by lifestyle choices.

In school, teachers will teach you how to read. A coach may teach you how to play a sport. These traits are learned through environmental influence. They are not inherited, but they still play an essential role in how we all behave. Though a child may have inherited dyslexia from his father, he is still able to learn how to read.

This child is an example of how inherited and non-inherited traits can work together.

SCR-

How can a trait that we inherited be changed into more desirable trait? Give an example of a trait we can change. 

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• A trait that an organism obtains during its lifetime through its environment

• Characteristics that are learned or happen to an organism

• Not passed from parents to their offspring

• Characteristics that often help an organism survive in its environment

​Acquired Traits

​Turn and Talk-
What is unique about acquired traits?

Drag and Drop

A dog pushed a button to get food.


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Placeholder

Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

Acquired

Inherited

Instinct

Categorize

Options (5)

A dog pushed a button to get food.

A dog pushed a button to get food.

A person trained to run a marathon.

A chef mastered a new recipe.

A child inherits eye color from their parents.

A person has inherited a talent for music from their family.

Determine if the following statements are inherited or acquired traits. 

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Inherited

Acquired

​Ted has hazel eyes.

1. Ted's biological father wears contacts in his hazel eyes.

2. Ted wears glasses and so do his sisters.

3. Ted's friend also has hazel eyes.

​Whiteboard+ 1 or 2 words!

What information supports the conclusion that Ted inherited this trait?

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Response Card+Pair-
Inherited or Acquired

​Kiara has wavy hair

1. Write an evidence statement that would describe this as an inherited trait.

Open Ended

 Read the following statement and decide whether it is true or false and then explain why. 

“Simon has a scar on his left knee. Simon’s children will have a scar because he will pass on this trait.”

​DOL TIME!