Heredity Grade 5: Standard 4 - Heredity Conceptual Strand 4 Plants and animals reproduce and transmit hereditary information between generations. Guiding Question 4 What are the principal mechanisms by which living things reproduce and transmit information between parents and offspring? GLE Describe how genetic information is passed from parents to offspring during reproduction. GLE Recognize that some characteristics are inherited while others result frominteractions with the environment Explain how genetic information is transmitted from parents to offspring Create a chart that compares hereditary and environmental traits Distinguish between a scar and a birthmark in terms of their origins. SPI Recognize that information is passed from parent to offspring during reproduction. SPI Distinguish between inherited traits and those that can be attributed to the environment.

Adaptation A trait or characteristic that helps an organism survive in its environment

Chromosome A threadlike structure in the nucleus, made up of DNA

DNA DNA is a long fiber, like a hair, only thinner and longer. It is made from two strands that stick together with a slight twist.

Dominant A trait expressed when an organism receives genes for two different forms of a trait

Environment All the living and nonliving things that surround and affect an organism

Gene A short segment of DNA that determines one of an organism’s inherited traits

HeredityHeredity (Inherited Trait) A characteristic passed from parents to their offspring

Hybrid An organism that has two different genes for the same trait

Instinct A behavior that an organism inherits

Learned Behavior A behavior that an animal acquires through experience

Life Cycle The stages that a living thing passes through as it grows and changes The Life Cycle of Frogs

Mitosis The process by which most cells divide

Mutation A change in the genes of an organism

Nucleotide The basic structural unit of DNA

Recessive A trait not expressed when an organism receives genes for two different forms of a trait

Selective Breeding The practice of breeding plants and animals for desired traits

Sexual Reproduction The production of offspring by the union of male and female gametes

Asexual Reproduction Production of offspring from only one parent