Genetics

What is a trait? Trait: characteristics that determine how an organism looks, acts, or functions.

List as many traits as you can! Size Skin color Hair color Eye color/shape Widow’s peak Straight hair or curly hair Mild mannered/wild Hitch hiker’s thumb Cleft chin dimples Taste PTC Earlobes Roll tongue Right/left handed How you cross your hands

Tell your neighbor EVERYTHING You remember about traits. What are some of your traits?

What is an environment? Environment: the surroundings in which an organism lives.

What are some organisms that may live in these environments? Forest: trees, algae, moss, flowers, lilypads Elk, deer, squirrels, chipmunks, bears, wolves, birds Ocean: coral, sharks, stingrays, anemone, sea turtles, Fish, dolphin, algae, starfish, octopus Desert Tortoise, scorpion, lizards, snakes

What is a learned behavior? Learned behavior: an action that is learned through trial and error or is brought about by the environment.

List as many learned behaviors as you can!(at least 2 animal and 2 plant behaviors) Walk Run Play piano Cartwheel Talk Sing Use utensils Write Read Ride a bike Tie shoes Type Animals: Learn tricks Bark to come Inside. Plant: grow Up a lattice. Turn to sun

Instinct vs Learned Behavior Discuss with your neighbor ways to remember the difference.

What is an INSTINCT? Instinct: behaviors that are inherited from the parent organism.

List as many instincts as you can! Eat Sleep Laugh Blink Cry Hear Dogs sense of smell Cats chase Fish swim Smile Smell Bark at Strange sounds Breathe Shape of leaf Baby turtles go To ocean scream shape of flower

What is a specialized structure? Specialized structure: a body part unique to a species for survival in its environment. For an extra point(s), name a specialized structure and the function.

What is a parent organism? Parent organism: producer of offspring.

Give the definition for species Species: a certain group of plants or animals that can only reproduce among themselves. For an extra point give examples. Dogs Cats Rabbits

What is a variation? Variation: differences in appearances of an inherited trait among the members of a group (species)

Name an organism that does not resemble parents in beginning. Fish Frogs Plants Flowers Amphibians Insects

Explain Why do some organisms look like the parent and some do not, in the beginning?