Understanding Instincts and Behaviors

From the characteristics above, which question can be asked to find out about characteristics of monarch butterflies that are instincts?

• Why do monarch butterflies migrate?

• What stages are in the monarch butterfly life cycle?

• What colors are monarch butterflies?

• How does a monarch butterfly defend itself from predators?

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

Which question can be investigated to compare instincts and learned behaviors in animals?

• What is the role of genetics in spider web making versus a dog fetching a ball?

• How does a bird know how to build a nest versus how a child learns to speak a language?

• Why are some behaviors learned?

• Which behaviors are more important: instincts or learned behaviors?

From the characteristics above, which question can be asked to find out about which characteristics of sea turtles are instincts?

• Why are turtle shells hard?

• How long can sea turtles hold their breath underwater?

• What area of the beach are sea turtle eggs found?

• Why do sea turtles return to their place of birth to nest and lay eggs?

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

Which question can be asked to find out about the characteristics of dogs that are learned behaviors?

• How long does it take to teach a dog new tricks?

• Why do dogs shake off water when wet?

• What breed of dog is the largest?

• What breed of dog is the smallest?

Which question would most likely help him understand this behavior?

• Is it instinctual for zebras to herd together?

• Is there a limit on how many zebras can herd together?

• How many characteristics do the zebras in the herd share?

• How many zebras in the herd have similar color patterns?

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

Why is Alyssa unable to speak Spanish?

• Alyssa’s mom inherited the ability to speak Spanish, but Alyssa did not.

• Alyssa only inherited the ability to speak English from her mom.

• Alyssa cannot learn to speak Spanish because she is too young.

• Alyssa’s mom learned to speak Spanish, but Alyssa did not.

What question can be asked to find out whether the new sunflower plant will have the same acquired characteristics of the parent sunflower?

• Will the sunflower have holes in its leaves?

• Will the sunflower have yellow petals?

• Will the sunflower have the same shaped leaves?

• Will the sunflower grow to the same height?

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-1

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

Which is an example of an inherited trait?

• Favorite food

• Reading fast

• Tongue rolling

• Short haircut

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Which of the following best summarizes the student’s observations?

• Arnold inherited the ability to run faster by exercising.

• Arnold acquired the ability to run faster by exercising.

• Chester inherited the ability to run faster by exercising.

• Chester acquired the ability to run faster by exercising.

Which question could be investigated to compare inherited and acquired traits?

• Can an organism's inherited traits change over time?

• How are the traits of an offspring different from the traits of its parents?

• What are the advantages and disadvantages of acquired traits?

• How many different types of inherited traits are there?