What is the difference between inherited traits and learned behavior?

Tammy Herrin

Cathy Hudson

Claudia Sanchez

NSESLife Science

• The characteristics of organisms:

• 4CLS2.2 Plants and animals closely resemble their parents.

• 4CLS2.3 Many characteristics of an organism are inherited from the parents of the organism, but other characteristics result from an individual’s interactions with the environment. Inherited characteristics include the color of flowers and the number of limbs of an animal. Other features, such as the ability to ride a bicycle, are learned through interactions with the environment and cannot be passed on to the next generation.

TEKSScience:(10) Organisms and environments. The student knows that organisms undergo similar life processes and have structures that help them survive within their environments. The student is expected to:

(b) explore that some characteristics of organisms are inherited such as the number of limbs on an animal or flower color and recognize that some behaviors are learned in response to living in a certain environment such as animals using tools to get food; and(2) Scientific investigation and reasoning. The student uses scientific inquiry methods during laboratory and outdoor investigations. The student is expected to:

(a) Plan and implement descriptive investigations, including asking and answering questions, making inferences, and selecting and using equipment or technology needed, to solve a specific problem in the natural world;

Technology:(1) Creativity and innovation. The student uses creative thinking and innovative processes to construct knowledge and develop digital products. The student is expected to:

(c) use virtual environments to explore systems and issues.

Math:(1) Mathematical process standards. The student uses mathematical processes to acquire and demonstrate mathematical understanding. The student is expected to:

(c) select tools, including real objects, manipulatives, paper and pencil, and technology as appropriate, and techniques, including mental math, estimation, and number sense as appropriate, to solve problems

OBJECTIVES

1.The students will be able to differentiate between inherited traits and learned traits.

2.Students will be able to make inferences about the relation between inherited traits and learned behaviors.

3.Students will compare and contrast inherited traits and learned behaviors in their country to other countries.

4.Students will determine what objects to use when measuring their pointer finger and their height.

MATERIALS

• pictures of examples

• online video

• inherited traits survey

• data table worksheet

• pencils

• construction paper

• glue

• scissors

• mirrors

• trait/behavior cards

• tape

• ruler

• yardstick

• science journal worksheets

Inherited Traits

Acquired Traits

1. “Do you and your parents have the same hair/eye color?”(Knowledge)

2. “Describe the differences between you and your siblings.” (Comprehension)

3. “ Name some of the things you have in common with your friends” (Knowledge)

4. “Why do you think you look like your parents?” (Analysis)

ENGAGE

EXPLORE

1. Explore traits that are hereditary and those that are learned. (Synthesis)

2. “Why do you think you have the same hair/eye color as your parents but you don’t have the same taste in music?

(Analysis)3. “Why do you think you think you have the same taste in

music as your friends but you don’t have the same hair/eye color?” (Analysis)

EXPLAIN1. "Do your siblings have the same hair/eye color as your

parents?" (Knowledge)2. "Do your siblings like the same music as your parents?"

(Knowledge)3. "Why do you think that you and your siblings all look like your

parents but you don't all like the same type of music/food?" (Analysis)

4. “What are some examples of inherited traits?” (Comprehension)

5. “What are some examples of learned traits?”(Comprehension)

Before

After

ELABORATE

1. “How would you explain why you have blue eyes if both your parents have brown?” (Applications)

2. “Where do you think your parents got their hair color from?” (Synthesis)

Hypothesis:

Analysis& Conclusion:

Procedure & Results:

EVALUATE

1. “What evidence do you have to support why you have blue eyes/tall/short/curly hair/straight hair?” (Applications)

2. “How would you explain the difference in an inherited trait and a learned trait?” (Applications)