Transcript Physical Characteristics of Plants and Animals

Physical Characteristics
of Plants and Animals
How are inherited and acquired
characteristics different?
Physical Characteristics
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Physical characteristics are the outward
appearance of organisms.
These can be inherited (come from the parents)
or acquired (changed during the life of the
organism.)
Inherited Physical Characteristics

The coat color of cats is
an inherited
characteristic. This
feature came from the
cat’s parents.
Inherited Physical Characteristics
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Our body coverings are
also inherited from our
parents.
Inherited Physical Characteristics
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Sensory organs like eyes,
ears, and noses are
inherited physical
characteristics.
Inherited Physical Characteristics
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Body Structure is
inherited from our
parents.
Inherited Physical Characteristics
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Plants inherit
characteristics from their
parent plants, too!
Type of leaves, colors of
flowers, and types of
fruit are all inherited
characteristics.
Inherited Physical Characteristics
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The leaf type is inherited
from the parent plant.
Shape, size and color can
differ.
Inherited Physical Characteristics
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Flower color and shape
is inherited from the
parent plants.
Inherited Physical Characteristics

The type of fruit
produced by a plant is
inherited from its
parents.
Acquired Physical Characteristics
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These characteristics change over the life of the
organisms.
These characteristics change due to outside
factors or development over time.
Acquired Physical Characteristics
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Additional weight gain is an acquired
characteristic.
Acquired Physical Characteristics
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Hair length or color can be changed. This is
very easily observed in humans.
Acquired Physical Characteristics
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Characteristics can change due to injury.
Lizard that has lost its tail. It will
grow a new one.
Dog that has lost a leg. He
will not grow a new leg!
Acquired Physical Characteristics
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Plants acquire characteristics throughout their
lives, too. For instance their roots get longer.
Acquired Physical Characteristics
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The amount of leaves and branching on plants
are acquired over time.
Behavioral Characteristics
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In order to survive with an ecosystem, plants
and animals act in distinctive ways called
behaviors.
A behavior is a response to a change in the
environment.
Plant Behavior Characteristics
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Plants respond to light, water, gravity and touch.
Plant Behavior Characteristics
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Plant roots grow
down, while stems
grow up.
Plant Behavior Characteristics
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Vines will grow up a support or structure.
Leaves close up when touched.
Plant Behavior Characteristics
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Leaves grow toward light
Animal Behavior Characteristics
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Animals are born with certain behaviors that
allow them to survive.
These are called instincts.
Animal Behavior Characteristics
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A duck knowing how to swim across a lake.
Birds building different types of nests.
Animal Behavior Characteristics
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Migration and
Hibernation are also
instincts.
Animal Behavior
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Animals can also acquire behaviors as they grow
and develop. Can be a result of environment or
through learning.
Learned behaviors are shaped by experience.
Learned Behaviors
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A dog can learn to roll over.
A bird is taught to fly by its parent.
A bear learns to fish for food.