Inherited Traits
A trait is any characteristic or feature of an organism.
*Such as shape, size, color, etc.
Inherited traits are passed from parents to offspring
(children).
Inherited traits are passed to offspring by all living
organisms- plants and animals.
Some inherited traits are easy to see, such as eye color, hair
color, height, or facial features.
Other inherited traits affect structures inside the body and
cannot be seen, such as bone structure and blood type.
(Think invisible= can’t be seen but it is there)
Not all traits are inherited.
 An athlete may have strong muscles from working
out, however; his/her offspring will not inherited
strong muscles.
 The direction that a tree grows is not inherited.
Some behaviors are inherited. These are called instincts.
 A lion chasing an antelope is an instinct.
 A bird migrating south is an instinct.
Examples of Inherited Traits
Plants
 Petal color
 Petal size
 Leaf color
 Leaf size
 Stem color
 Stem size
 Bark color
 Bark size
 Height
 Number of leaves or petals
Animals
 Hair/ fur color
 Eye color
 Height
 Bone structure
 Facial features
 Skin color
 Beak shape
 Feet
 Feathers
 Instinct
 Blood type
 Hereditary diseases- diabetes, high blood pressure,
etc.
Learned Behaviors
Learned Behaviors
Learned behaviors are taught/ learned, not inherited.
Learned behaviors are taught/ learned, not inherited.
Only animals and humans have learned behaviors.
Only animals and humans have learned behaviors.
Animals are not born with these behaviors.
Animals are not born with these behaviors.
Learned behaviors change as the environment changes.
Learned behaviors change as the environment changes.
Examples:
Examples:
1. People learning to ride a bike.
1. People learning to ride a bike.
2. People learning to do math or another school
subject.
2. People learning to do math or another school
subject.
3. Learning how to walk
3. Learning how to walk
4. Learning how to talk
4. Learning how to talk
5. Learning how to fetch
5. Learning how to fetch
6. Learning how to play games/ sports
6. Learning how to play games/ sports
7. Learning how to fly/ swim
7. Learning how to fly/ swim
8. Dogs being house trained
8. Dogs being house trained