Offspring like their parents

How are offspring like

their parents?

Both alike and different

Most young plants and animals grow to look like their parents. Some plants and animals look like their parents even when they are very young.

antelope

The young antelope shares many characteristics with its parents.1- it has the same body shape as its parent.2- its fur is about the same length too.

The young antelope is also different in some ways.

1- its horn are much smaller than its parent`s horns.

2- its horn will grow larger as it gets older.

3-but its horn may not have the exact shape or size of its parent`s horn.

Inherited characteristic

s

Young plants and animals are called offspring.

Inherit means to receive from a parent.

An inherited characteristic is one that is passed on from parents to their offspring.

An inherited characteristic = trait

colorAnimals inherit traits shape of their body parts

leaf shapeplants inherit traits flower color

The traits of an animal or plant often help it to survive in its environment.

Humans may also inherit traits. You may have inherited traits such as hair color and eye color from your parents.

Acquired characteristic

s

Suppose a woman has her ears pierced. Her offspring will not be born with pierced ears. *Pierced ears are an acquired characteristics.

You acquire, or get, them during your lifetime

A plant`s leaves may turn brown if it gets too much sun. *brown leaves are an acquired characteristics.The plant`s offspring will not have brown leaves.

The scars on this elephant seal`s body are from fighting other seals. The scars

are an acquired characteristics.

Inherited Behavior

Behaviors are things that animals do.

An instinct: is a behavior that an animal is born able to do.

Instincts are inherited behaviors.

Baby birds open their mouths when a parent brings food.

Puppies are born knowing how to suck milk.

Some butterflies migrate to warm places to survive the winter.

Bats hibernate during winter.When they hibernate their body, their body systems slow down. This save energy.

Animals learn some behaviors from their parents or other adult.

1- chimpanzees learn how to use a stick as a tool.

2- they use stick to catch and eat insects.3- they learn which foods are safe to eat.

Humans learn many behaviors from their parents or other adults.

1- you learned how to read and do math in school.2-you learned how to tie your shoelaces or eat with a spoon.

You were not born knowing how to do these things.

Small Differences in

Traits

Different animals of the same kind can look and act different.Two brown rabbits can have brown offspring. They may also have white or gray offspring.

Differences that can help an animal

Some differences in the way an animal looks or acts can help it survive and reproduce.

rock pocket mice live in rocky habitats in the desert areas.

1-This mouse has light brown fur.

2-Its color matches the rocks in its habitat.

1- this mouse has black fur.

2- its color matches the rocks of its habitat.

Differences that can harm an animal

Small differences in traits can harm an animal.

1-The light brown offspring will be hard for owls to see.

2-But black mice are easier to see on light brown rocks.

3-The black offspring are more likely to be eaten by owls. They are less likely to survive and reproduce.