Acquired vs. Inherited Traits Ms. Wells, Life Science

Characteristics = Traits You are a unique individual Characteristics (eye color, basketball skills, height, blood type, etc.) about you are called traits

You are a unique individual

Characteristics (eye color, basketball skills, height, blood type, etc.) about you are called traits

Inherited Traits Received from your biological parents Heredity = passing of genes from parents to offspring Examples: natural eye color, hair color, height, blood type

Received from your biological parents

Heredity = passing of genes from parents to offspring

Examples: natural eye color, hair color, height, blood type

Acquired Traits Developed during life (not born with it) Examples Things you learned (riding a bike, reading, writing) Things that happened to you (short hair, cut-off finger)

Developed during life (not born with it)

Examples

Things you learned (riding a bike, reading, writing)

Things that happened to you (short hair, cut-off finger)

Acquired traits end with you! CANNOT pass on acquired traits to offspring NOT in DNA/genes! Example: Your kids won’t be born with a missing arm if you cut off your arm first!

CANNOT pass on acquired traits to offspring

NOT in DNA/genes!

Example: Your kids won’t be born with a missing arm if you cut off your arm first!

Inherited traits & Sex Sexual Reproduction Half of genes from mother (egg) Half of genes from father (sperm)

Sexual Reproduction

Half of genes from mother (egg)

Half of genes from father (sperm)

Some traits are both! Skin color is a combination trait Inherited part: Receive genes for skin color from parents Acquired part: Amount of time in the sun determines level of tan

Skin color is a combination trait

Inherited part: Receive genes for skin color from parents

Acquired part: Amount of time in the sun determines level of tan