Acquired vs Inherited Traits 7 January 2011 Characteristics

Acquired vs. Inherited Traits 7 January 2011

Characteristics = Traits �A characteristic of an organism may be inherited or acquired. �You are a unique individual. �Characteristics about you are called traits. �Examples: Eye color, basketball skills

Inherited Traits �Received from your biological parents �Examples: natural eye color, hair color, height, blood type.

Acquired Traits �Developed during life (not born with it) �Examples �Things you learned (riding a bike, reading, writing) �Things that happened to you (short hair, cut-off finger)

Acquired traits end with you! CANNOT pass on acquired traits to offspring NOT in DNA/genes! Example: Your kids won’t be born with a missing arm if you cut off your arm first!

Some traits are both! Skin color is a combination trait Inherited part: Receive genes for skin color from parents. Acquired part: Amount of time in the sun determines level of tan.

Let’s Practice! Take out a sheet of notebook paper and number it 1 -12. For each example, write down whether you think the trait is acquired or inherited. Think: “Was this organism programmed from birth to have this trait? ”

Example: Dimples Is this an acquired trait or an inherited trait?

Dimples – Inherited Trait! This child has genes from her parents that gives her dimples.

Number 1 �Someone is bilingual.

Number 2 �You know how to swim.

Number 3 �You have a hitchhiker’s thumb.

Number 4 �A man is blind from a firework accident.

Number 5 �Sarah can roll her tongue.

Number 6 �You have calluses on your feet.

Number 7 �A pea plant has purple flowers.

Number 8 �Captain Kirk can make the vulcan hand sign.

Number 9 �Harry has a scar on his head.

Number 10 �Sam has a birthmark on his back.

Number 11 �A bush has trimmed limbs.

Number 12 �Kilam is very good at basketball.