Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors

How would you describe the physical characteristics of these puppies?

How would you describe the physical characteristics of their mother?

The puppies INHERITED their physical features (the way they look) from the instructions that the MOM and the DAD both gave them in their DNA.

Inherited Traits Eye color Skin color Hair color Curly or straight hair Dimples Freckles Height

Inherited Traits Characteristics passed from parent to offspring (child) Big, small Fur, no fur Eye color Skin color Hair color Curly or straight hair Dimples Freckles Height

Are your ear lobes attached to the side of your head, or do they hang free? The shape of your ear lobe is an inherited trait.

Learned Behaviors are NOT inherited (you learn them after your parents make you) Any behavior learned from parents or from own experiences.

Humans and other animals are a mix of characteristics from their parents and behaviors they learned on their own A physical characteristic that is passed from a parent to their baby (offspring) is an inherited trait.

Behaviors that you Inherit are called INSTINCTS An INSTINCT is a behavior you were born knowing how to do already. It’s like you or the animal was preprogrammed to do it (like acting mom-like or dad-like when you have kids) Many animals are born with instincts that help them survive. -migrating -trying not to let your offspring die and helping it-crying out when you are terrified of something, to either scare it away to attract help.

Quiz Time

Which of these is an inherited trait? Liking the color red Having long fingers Wearing your hair in a ponytail Liking chocolate ice cream

Which of these is a learned behavior? Having long eyelashes Having curly hair Heading south in the fall Liking peanut butter sandwiches

Which of these can you change? Your instincts Your inherited traits Your learned behaviors Your inherited behaviors

A woman is an excellent cook A woman is an excellent cook. Why are her children likely to become good cooks? They will learn to cook by instinct They will learn to cook by watching They will inherit her cooking skills Cooking is an inherited trait