Transcript Inherited and Learned Behaviors

Some things you just can’t
change….
Likenesses between Parents
and Offspring (that’s you)
Do you have the same color eyes as your mother or
your father?
Do you have the same hair color as either parent?
Offspring (children) - are often like their parents in
many ways.
Ex: a seed from a yellow rose plant will grow into
another yellow rose plant. Both plants (parents and
offspring) will have the same type of leaves.
This also is true for humans. If your parents both have
earlobes that are attached to their head, chances are,
you will too!
Inherited characteristics are passed from
parents to their offspring (children). These cannot be
changed.
Physical Characteristics such as earlobes, height,
eye color are examples of inherited characteristics.
The genetic “instructions” are given to the offspring
by the parents.
• Some people can roll the edges of their tongue up and
others can’t.
• Some people can move their fingers in two groups to
make a “Vulcan” sign like Mr. Spoc on Star Trek.
• Some people have a “widows” peak hairline while
others have a straight hairline.
• Inherited traits include instinctive behaviors, which
means animals are born with them. Baby Turtle returns to sea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt299DvXFJ
• Here are a few examples:
Birds having the desire to fly south for winter.
A baby turtle hatching from its shell and heading
towards sea.
Some animals hibernate in the winter in order to
survive.
Not all likenesses
between parents and
offspring are
inherited.
Some likenesses are
learned.
Learned behaviors
are behaviors that an
animal, especially
humans, that develop
in response to their
environment.
Worker ants can learn a
series of landmarks along a
trail. This helps them return to
their colony.
You have learned table
manners. Your parents have
taught you to use a knife and
a fork correctly when eating.
Trainers can teach seals to
balance a ball on their nose,
or teach a dog fetch a stick.
Your super awesome
teachers have also taught you
how to read, multiply, divide,
and even have taught you
about Learned and Inherited
Characteristics.
Cactus spines
Speaking a
Language
Avoiding bad-tasting
prey
Color of a
bird’s feathers
Biting your finger nails
Tying your
shoelaces
Birds building a
nest
Interactive sites
• http://www.amnh.org/ology/?channel=gene
tics&c#features/naturewalk?TB_iframe=tru
e&height=400&width=600
• http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begi
n/traits/
NOTE TIME!!!
• An inherited trait is something passed
down by a plant or animal from its parents.
Many inherited traits are physical
characteristics. These traits include eye
color and hair color, or the shape of a
leaf.
Instinctive Behaviors: Some inherited
traits are instinctive behaviors– such as
birds flying south in the winter.
Inherited traits cannot be changed.
NOTE TIME CONTINUED!!!
Learned Behavior is something an animal
learns by interacting with its environment.
Learned behavior is not inherited.
Learned behavior can be changed.
A Learned behavior occurs when an animal
has an experience it seeks to avoid or repeat.
For example: A coyote learns to avoid cacti.
Learned behaviors can be taught to humans.
For example: we learn good table manners.