Objectives

 Inherited traits are traits that you get genetically from your parents or "inherit". Examples include: dimples, ear lobe shape, right or left handedness, etc.

 Acquired traits are traits that you learn. These do NOT come from your parents. Examples include: scars, playing an instrument, playing a sport, learning a new dance, cooking, sewing, crafts, skateboarding, multiplication tables, etc.

 Sexual reproduction involves 2 parents. It is the joining of an egg and a sperm. The final result is a new organism that is a genetic combination of both parents. Sexual reproduction introduces variety in the species.  Females produce eggs. Males produce sperm.  Asexual reproduction involves 1 parent. Offspring are produced identical to parent. They have the exact same sequence of DNA. Think "clone" of parent. The genetic material does NOT change from parent to offspring.

 Asexual reproduction include these examples: bacteria, hydra, amoeba, planaria, fungi, yeast, sea star being cut in half and each half regrowing into a full sea star, plant cuttings from house plants, etc.  Sexual reproduction include these examples: humans, rats, mosquitoes, insects, dairy cows, salmon, sunflowers, dandelions, clams, dolphins, earthworms, cats, dogs, pollen blowing from one flower to another flower, pollen carried by one insect from one flower to another flower, etc.

 Offspring of asexual reproduction will have exactly the same characteristics as parent.  Offspring of sexual reproduction will have same body structure as parents, but will be a genetic combination of both parents.  Examples: Shape of earlobes, dimples, length of toes, bone structure, etc.

 Bird beaks, Structure of teeth, Body structure  Coloration of moths in industrial areas vs. non- polluted area  Know that traits can be inherited or acquired

 Birds in desert survive on soft parts of cactus. Birds with large beaks can crack open and eat hard seeds.  Many animals near the North Pole are white.  Organisms with colorful appearances (in a dull environment) warn their predators that they are harmful or do not taste good.  Dolphins, fish, sharks have fins that help them move in water.

 Giraffes have long necks to eat leaves off taller trees.  Whales have long bodies to move through the water.  Honeybees have stingers to protect themselves.  Warm fur in a tropical climate. Not good!  If plants or animals cannot adapt, they may move to another location, the population may change over time genetically or eventually become extinct.

 What is mimicry? One organism imitating or mimicking another. Can be looks, sounds, actions, etc.  What is camouflage? When an organism blends in to their environment.

 Mimicry in insects  Plant hybridization to develop a specific trait  Breeding of dairy cows to produce more milk  Increased speed for prey animals  Increased stealth in predators  Viceroy butterfly resembles a monarch butterfly in color to keep from being eaten.  Corn snakes(“red next to black, friendly jack” resemble coral snakes(“red next to yellow, deadly fellow”) in color.

 Hollow bird bones allow them to fly in air  Hollow structure of hair insulates animals from hot or cold  Dense root structure allows plants to grow in compact soil

 Fish fins aid fish in moving in water  Hummingbirds have long thin beaks to suck nectar  Hawks have curved, sharp beaks and talons for ripping flesh