Inherited vs. Acquired Traits

Characteristics=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

Inherited Traits

Eye color Natural hair color Blood type Right/left handed Color blindness Height

Acquired Traits

Developed during life (not born with)

Examples: Things you learned (riding a bike,

reading, writing)Things that happened to you (short

hair, cut-off finger)

Acquired traits end with you!

You cannot pass acquired traits on to offspring

NOT in your DNA/genes Example: Your kids won’t be born

with one arm if you cut off your arm first!

Activity:

Work with a partner Turn over 1 card. Read the card and

decide if it is an acquired or inherited trait. (use expo marker to mark the correct choice)

Try to find the matching picture (different written description)

Play like a game of MEMORY