Explain variations of traits in groups of organisms

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3rd Grade Science › Explain variations of traits in groups of organisms

Questions 1 - 10
1

Why does the puppy in the photo below look so similar to both of its parents?

Mother, Father, Baby, Dog, Cavalier

The parent's traits have been passed to the puppy.

The puppy is a clone of the adult dogs.

The adult dogs are not the puppy's parents; they are siblings.

The puppy does not look similar to the adult dogs.

Explanation

Plants and animals inherit their traits and genes from their parents. Each offspring is a mix of both parents and will display characteristics from their mother and father. The adult dogs are all the same species, color, patterns, and breed, so they will pass on traits that will cause the puppy to look similar.

2

Why does the kitten in the photo below look different from its mother?

Cats, Animals, Pets, Domestic, Mommy

It is a mix of both the mother and father's traits.

That cat is not its mother.

The kitten is dirty, and you cannot tell its colors.

Kittens never look like their mother, only their father.

Explanation

The kitten looks different from the parent because it is a mix of both parents' genes and traits. The mother has orange, white, and brown fur while the kitten only has orange and white. It is possible the father was more orange than other colors, and these genes were the strongest. Every child born is a mix of their two parents, some genes and traits from each will be instilled in the baby. As plants and animals grow older, they also change in appearance and may start to look like one parent more than the other.

3

DJ and Johar are brothers, but they don't look alike! How can they be brothers but have variations in their appearance?

Boys, Kids, Children, Two, Pair

Each child inherits different genes from their parents, in a 50:50 ratio, so they have a mix of traits.

Youngest siblings always get the same traits as their mothers.

Male siblings always look like their father.

Children inherit about 75% of their genes from their mother and 25% from their fathers, so they have a mix of traits.

Explanation

When siblings are born, they have different genetic make-ups and inherit different traits from their parents. One child might be born with red hair like the mother and another with brown hair like their father. They may both be tall like their father and have the same shaped eyes like their mother. There will be similarities between the offspring, but no two will be exactly alike because of the differences in the genes they inherit.

4

Why are there differences in siblings if they have the same parents?

Different genes and traits are inherited from the parents.

Oldest siblings always get the same traits as their mothers.

It is entirely random, and no one knows what any child might look like.

Most siblings look and act the same; there are few differences.

Explanation

When siblings are born, they have different genetic make-ups and inherit different traits from their parents. One child might be born with red hair like the mother and another with brown hair like their father. They may both be tall like their father and have the same shaped eyes like their mother. There will be similarities between the offspring, but no two will be exactly alike because of the differences in the genes they inherit.

5

What is an organism? Example: Some organisms are enormous, while others are tiny.

An individual plant, animal, or living thing

A house or building

A type of recreational vehicle

Parts of the body with functions to keep humans alive

Explanation

An organism is a plant, animal, or living thing. Each organism has its traits or characteristics. A trait is a quality or feature that can be used to describe something. Each organism inherits genes from their parents, which determine the mix of traits they receive.

6

Plants and animals do not have traits inherited from their parents.

True

False

Explanation

This statement is false and untrue. Plants and animals inherit their traits and genes from their parents. Each offspring is a mix of both parents and will display characteristics from their mother and father. No two plants or animals are precisely the same because they each have unique traits.

7

Nevin's cats recently had kittens. The father is black and white while the mother has orange and white stripes. The kittens are a variation of black, white, orange, spots, and stripes. Why is there such a difference in all of the kitten's appearances?

The kittens are a mix of the traits and characteristics of both parents.

The kittens are not the offspring of Nevin's cats.

Kittens never look like their parents.

It is entirely random, and no one knows what any kitten might look like.

Explanation

Nevin's cats look different because there is a variation in their genes and traits. The kittens each inherit half of their genes from each parent, so they are a mix of the two. No two organisms have identical DNA, so they will not look exactly like their mother or their father, but rather a combination of the two.

8

What is a trait? Example: A unique trait of the giraffe is its long neck.

A quality or characteristic of something

A like or dislike of a plant or animal

Swapping goods in order to get something

A measure of intelligence

Explanation

A trait is a quality or characteristic that can be used to describe something. In the example provided, a unique trait of the giraffe is its long neck. This characteristic is specific to a giraffe and can be used to describe its appearance. Often the word trait is also heard in English Language Arts when describing a character trait from a story or text.

9

The gorillas in the picture look very similar, but there is a difference in their hair color.

Gorilla And Baby

Why would the baby gorilla look slightly different than one of its parents?

The baby is a mix of the traits and characteristics of both parents.

This is not the gorilla's baby; it is just watching it for a friend.

Gorillas never look like their mothers. They only look like their fathers.

The adult gorilla is in the sun, and the baby is in the shade, so they look different.

Explanation

The baby gorilla looks different and has darker hair than the parent because it is a mix of both parents' genes and traits. The mother may have more brown/red hair while the father has very dark hair to the baby takes more after the father. Every child born is a mix of their two parents, some genes and traits from each will be instilled in the baby. As plants and animals grow older, they also change in appearance and may start to look like one parent more than the other.

10

There are variations of inherited traits that exist in groups of similar organisms because they have different inherited information.

True

False

Explanation

The statement presented is accurate and true. There are variations or differences in the traits of animals, even within the same groups and families. Each offspring inherits different information from their parents, so there are slight differences between them all.

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