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Inherited vs Acquired Traits

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Inherited vs Acquired Traits

Family traits illustration

🧬 Part 1: Understanding Traits

1. What is an inherited trait?

A characteristic you learn from practice

A characteristic passed from parents to offspring through genes

A characteristic you get from the environment

A characteristic you choose to have

2. Which of these are examples of inherited traits? (Check all that apply)

Eye color

Ability to ride a bike

Hair texture

A scar from falling

Height potential

Speaking a language

3. What is an acquired trait?

A trait that comes from your parents' genes

A trait you are born with

A trait gained or changed during life through environment or experience

A trait that never changes

🔍 Part 2: Trait Sorting

4. Sort these traits by writing "I" for Inherited or "A" for Acquired next to each one:

_____ A dog's fur color

_____ A musician's ability to play piano

_____ A bird's beak shape

_____ A person's tan from the sun

_____ Freckles on someone's face

_____ Knowing how to swim

_____ A plant's leaf shape

_____ Calluses on hands from work

5. Explain why eye color is an inherited trait and not an acquired trait:
6. Give an example of how the environment can influence an acquired trait:

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Part 3: Personal Connections

7. Think about yourself and your family. List one inherited trait you have:

My inherited trait: _________________________________

I got this from: ____________________________________

8. List one acquired trait you have:

My acquired trait: __________________________________

How I got this trait: _______________________________

9. Why is it important for scientists to understand the difference between inherited and acquired traits?

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