Inherited Traits and Characteristics

Which trait is passed from parents to offspring?

• language spoken

• eye color

• favorite food

• music

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

A dog has a litter of puppies, which two questions can be asked to learn about traits that are inherited?

• Will the puppies come when they are called?

• How large will the puppies become?

• Why do the puppies have spotted coats?

• How many of the puppies are playful?

• How many times a day do the puppies eat?

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Ezra's parents are both tall. They both have black hair and blue eyes. They love basketball and soccer. His mother dislikes garlic and his father dislikes onions. They both enjoy reading. Which three questions can be asked to learn about Ezra's inherited traits?

• Does Ezra like garlic and onions?

• What color are Ezra's eyes?

• What is Ezra's height?

• Does Ezra like basketball and soccer?

• What color is Ezra's hair?

Angela knows that many of her characteristics were passed on to her by her parents. She also knows that many of her characteristics were learned from her environment. What question can be asked to learn which characteristics was inherited by Angela?

• Does she do well in school?

• Does she have a lot of friends?

• Does she have freckles?

• Does she enjoy playing sports?

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Which of the following things is something a singer might have inherited?

• self-confidence

• willingness to work hard

• the ability to cooperate with musicians

• natural quality of his or her voice

Which question would you ask a jogger about his/her physical traits?

• How does he move his arms?

• How often does he run?

• How tall is he?

• How many sports is he active in?

An acquired trait is

• a trait that is specific to members of a family

• a trait that is learned due to influences from the environment

• a trait that is inherited from one's ancestors

• a trait that is passed down from generation to generation

Heredity traits are

• practiced during childhood

• responses to the environment

• learned by offspring after birth

• passed down from the parent

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Characteristics of a Swamp Rabbit are:

largest type of rabbit found in Georgia

has brown-black fur with a white underbelly

will head toward water to swim away when threatened

predators include bobcats, owls, and alligators

What question can be asked to determine which characteristic is a learned behavior?

• What are the largest predators of the swamp rabbits?

• How large are other types of rabbits in Georgia?

• How does its fur color help to protect the swamp rabbit?

• What do other rabbits do when they are threatened?

Monkeys use a rock to open nuts to eat.

Which question is asking about a learned behavior?

• Do all monkeys use rocks?

• Do all monkeys like nuts?

• Are all monkeys right handed?

• Are all monkeys multicolored?