Inherited, Learned and Acquired Traits and Behaviors

Inherited Traits Characteristics passed from parent to offspring Big, small Fur, no fur Eye color Etc.

Instinct (a type of Inherited Trait) Behaviors passed from parent to offspring; something you are born knowing to do; no one taught them to you. Breathing Running away from a giant cougar that just walked into the classroom Being scared of animals that growl Being afraid of the dark (you are just trying to protect yourself, after all) A cockroach running when the lights are turned on. A butterfly trying to get nectar from a flower (it’s parents did not raise it!!)

Learned Behaviors Any behavior learned from parents or from own experiences. Using a potty instead of the floor How to turn on the projector in the classroom How to use a doggy door Scratching on the door to get your owner to let you out of the house (if there isn’t a doggy door)

Acquired Traits characteristics that organisms don’t inherit or learn. They are traits they get because something happened to them. Tattoos Body piercings Broken bones Scars Cuts Removed limbs during from a war wound Hair cuts

Inherited, Learned, or neither? The colors of the coral Inherited

Inherited, Learned, or neither? The horse runs in races, pulling carriages Learned

Inherited, Learned, or neither? Incredibly large muscles Neither: Acquired (they had to build their muscles after birth)

Inherited, Learned, or neither? Dolphins jump on command Learned

Inherited, Learned, or neither? Captain Hook’s hook/missing hand Neither: Acquired

Inherited, Learned, or neither? AND find an acquired trait. Her eye color Inherited