Name_____________________________________________
Partner’s Name_____________________________________________
Inherited or Learned Traits
Traits can be inherited or they can be learned. By studying inherited traits, can you predict
which traits are inherited and which can be learned? Learned traits are acquired in your
lifetime and are not passed to the next generation.
Materials: Paper, pencil, partner
Finish these hypotheses:
#1 - IF a trait is inherited, THEN___________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
#2 - IF a trait is learned or acquired, THEN________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Procedure: With your partners help, observe and circle the Inherited traits you have on the
table below.
Data:
Inherited Trait
Can you roll your tongue?
Do you have Curly hair?
Do you have a Widows Peak?
Do you have Freckles?
Do you have any dimples?
Do you have a cleft chin?
Are your Earlobes attached?
Observed?
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Now: Write down 1 trait you observed as NO or not having.________________________________
Can you Learn how to do that or change it?______________Why?___________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Next, Think about the following traits and determine if they are Inherited or Learned? Circle
your answer in the table below.
Trait
Roll your tongue
Walking
Talking
Blue Eyes Color
Ride a Bike
Red Flower Color
Pierced Ears
Reading
Tattoos
Circle ONE
Inherited
Learned
Inherited
Learned
Inherited
Learned
Inherited
Learned
Inherited
Learned
Inherited
Learned
Inherited
Learned
Inherited
Learned
Inherited
Learned
Conclusion:
Go back and read your hypothesis #1.
Was your hypothesis correct?___________
Explain why it was correct or what you need to change___________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Go back and read your hypothesis #2.
Was this hypothesis correct?___________
Explain why it was correct or what you need to change___________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Can you list two Inherited Traits you have DIFFERENT from the ones above?
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
Can you list two Learned or Acquired Traits you have DIFFERENT from the ones above?
_________________________________________
_________________________________________