Acquired vs. Inherited Traits

Characteristics = Traits You are a unique individual (One in seven billion, actually) Characteristics you possess are called traits. (eye color, skating skills, height, blood type, hair color, etc.)

Inherited Traits Received from your biological parents Heredity = passing of genes from parents to offspring Examples: natural eye color, hair color, height, blood type

Acquired Traits Developed during life (not born with it) Examples Things you learned (those skating skills, riding a bike, reading, writing, manners) Things that happened to you (short hair, cut-off finger, dyed hair)

Acquired traits end with you! CANNOT pass on acquired traits to offspring NOT in DNA/genes! Example: This dog will NOT (necessarily) have puppies with just three legs.

Inherited traits & Reproduction Asexual Reproduction: Generates offspring that are genetically identical to the single parent. Sexual Reproduction: Two parents contribute genes to create a unique offspring. Half of genes (23) from mother (egg) & Half of genes (23) from father (sperm)

Some traits are both! Skin color is a combination trait Inherited part: Receive genes for skin color from parents Acquired part: Amount of time in the sun determines level of tan

What traits do you possess? 53% 77% 38% 75% 50% 19% 12% 44% 100% 54% 60%