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Inherited traits are physical characteristics and behaviors that an organism gets from its parents. It is born with them.
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Eye color, hair color, freckles, skin color and dimples are all inherited traits in humans. Other animals and plants also have inherited traits…some might include fur color, type of feet or body covering, flower color, or type of leaves.
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Instincts are inherited behaviors. Instincts do not have to be taught.
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Breathing, blinking, hibernation for some animals, migration for some animals, sleeping patterns, roots growing down in the ground, and plants growing toward the light are all examples of instincts.
Questions:
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What are inherited traits?
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What is an instinct?
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Would riding a bicycle be considered an inherited trait? Why or why not?
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List 5 inherited traits in birds.
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Give an example of an instinct in whales.

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Learned characteristics are things that an organism must be taught.
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Examples of learned characteristics for humans would be reading, talking, driving a car, writing, playing a sport, and playing a computer game.
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Other animals also learn certain things. Although hunting for food is an instinct, lions teach their offspring hunting techniques.
Chimpanzees learn to use twigs to dig for termites. Dolphins and whales are trained to do tricks at Sea World. Dogs are taught to sit and roll over.
Questions:
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What are learned characteristics?
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What is the difference between a learned characteristic and an instinct?
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What are some 5 things that you have learned since birth?
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Give a learned characteristic for the following animals: o Dog o Cat o Elephant o Horse o Dolphin

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A behavior is something an organism does or a response an organism has to a change in the it’s environment.
Animal behaviors can be instinctive (inherited) or learned.
Birds flying south for the winter, plant roots growing down, cats learning to use the litter box, and rabbits running when they sense danger are all behaviors.
Questions:
 What is a behavior?
 Name a few behaviors of plants.
 Name several behaviors of animals.

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Reproduction is a key element to species survival. During reproduction a mature organism makes new organisms (offspring).
Organisms reproduce in different ways. Some animals give birth to live young. Others reproduce with eggs. Plants reproduce with either seeds or spores.
The adult organisms are the parents and the new organisms are the offspring.
Offspring inherit certain traits from their parents.
Questions:
 What is the difference in a parent and an offspring?
 How do plants produce offspring?
 Why do offspring look like their parents?