An individual organism’s

life cycle will display

unique characteristics and
behaviors.
These traits can be a result
of genetic imprinting by the
parent organisms, or
developed uniquely as a part
of the organism’s lifestyle
and survival.
Traits that arise as a result of
parent genes are called inherited
traits. An organism is born,
hatched, or sprouted with these
DNA-controlled inherited traits in
place.
Physical characteristics such as
body structure, skin texture, fur
coverings, facial shape, ear, eye and
nose size and shape, and body, skin,
or fur color are determined by the
genetic traits of the parent animal.
In plants, flower color,
stem height, root lengths,
and shape of leaves are all
traits inherited from the
parent plants.
Parent features controlled by
DNA can be dominant or
recessive. Dominant
characteristics can be displayed
if one parent carries the trait.
Recessive features can
only show if both parents
carry at least one
recessive gene for the
trait.
Patterns of behavior,
called instincts, can also
be classified as inherited
traits.
A spider spinning a web, a bird
building a nest, a lion eating
meat, migration, hibernation,
and some parenting behaviors
are common examples of animal
instincts that are inherited.
Organisms can also display
features and behaviors that
are not a result of genetic
patterns from parent
organisms. These are called
acquired traits.
While most observable
plant and animal traits
are inherited, some are
acquired as they face the
struggle to survive.
For example, a lion cub
must learn to hunt, and
much time and effort is
needed to develop this
skill.
Acquired traits cannot be
passed onto offspring.
They are not in genetic
material (DNA).
For people, common inherited traits
include earlobe attachment, dimples,
handedness, curly hair, eye color,
color blindness, tongue rolling,
hairline shape, and some tasting
characteristics and facial expressions.
Examples of acquired traits
in people include riding a
bike, playing an instrument,
scars, hairstyle, and
speaking multiple languages.
Gregor Mendel discovered
the basic laws of heredity
through his work with pea
plants.
Mendel, 1822-1884, studied
pea shape, pea color, pod
shape, pod color, plant
size, flower color, and
position of flowers.
His studies resulted in three
laws: the law of dominance,
the law of segregation, and
the law of independent
assortment.
 Key terms
genes dna inherited traits acquired traits

dominant recessive instinct offspring

heredity behaviors growjoy.com

Extensions
 Credits
almanac.com nationalgeographic.com neuwritesd.org udel.com

moon-child.net yourgenome.com gamesmartz.com nextavenue.org

scientificamerican.com fashionelite.com beekmanschool.org expii.com

fineartamerica.com
 video credits
mrparr amoeba sisters moo moo math and science

asap science lindsey robinson awesome animals 2 minute

classroom

bbc earth teacher’s pet