Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. Mom has brown eyes and Dad has blue eyes; a child may have either color.
Kids can inherit from either parent, a Grade 3 pattern rule.
2. Offspring receive inherited traits from both mother and father parents.
Traits flow from both parents, a core Grade 3 inheritance idea.
3. When traits vary across siblings, scientists call this inherited variation.
Variation explains why Grade 3 siblings can look different.
4. Puppies in one litter can have different coat colors inherited from each parent.
Coat color varies by parent mix, a Grade 3 inheritance example.
5. A new generation of plants or animals is called offspring or the next generation.
Each generation inherits traits, a Grade 3 vocabulary word.
6. Dogs are one species with strong variation in size, color, and ear shape.
One species can vary widely, a Grade 3 pattern idea.
7. If both parent rabbits have black fur, offspring most often inherit black fur.
Same-trait parents usually pass it on, a Grade 3 pattern example.
8. Tall pea plants crossed with short ones can produce different sizes in offspring.
Different parents give variation, a classic Grade 3 science pattern.
9. Inherited traits move from parent to offspring through seeds, eggs, or birth.
Offspring receive traits, the main Grade 3 inheritance path.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Grade 3 pair: brown-eye mom + blue-eye dad
→ child may have brown or blue eyes
child may have brown or blue eyes
Grade 3 pair: two tall pea plant parents
→ offspring often tall like parents
offspring often tall like parents
Grade 3 pair: black lab + yellow lab
→ puppies can be black or yellow
puppies can be black or yellow
Grade 3 pair: curly-hair mom + straight-hair dad
→ child may have curly or straight hair
child may have curly or straight hair
Matching shows Grade 3 learners how inherited patterns appear in offspring.