Where Do Plants and Animals Come From?
Where Do Plants and Animals Come From?
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Baby plants and animals are called offspring -the scientific word for a parent's young.
Baby plants and animals are called offspring -the scientific word for a parent's young.
Offspring are the results of reproduction, the processes that make new plants and animals.
Offspring are the results of reproduction, the processes that make new plants and animals.
What Do They Get From Their Parents?
What Do They Get From Their Parents?
Reproduction passes down traits.
Reproduction passes down traits.
Traits can be things like eye and hair color, height, teeth structure, or natural behaviors called instincts.
Traits can be things like eye and hair color, height, teeth structure, or natural behaviors called instincts.
Beneficial adaptations being inherited provides an advantage for offspring to survive and reproduce.
Beneficial adaptations being inherited provides an advantage for offspring to survive and reproduce.
Some traits are dominant (will be see in offspring), some are recessive (only seen in offspring if no dominant gene present).
Some traits are dominant (will be see in offspring), some are recessive (only seen in offspring if no dominant gene present).
Scientists use a diagram called a Punnett Square to predict how traits are passed.
Scientists use a diagram called a Punnett Square to predict how traits are passed.
Offspring can have traits that are:
Offspring can have traits that are:
Identical to one parent
Like being being a pure red or white flower
Recessive to both parents (doesn't match either parent)
Like the yellow pea offspring above
Combination of parents/Incomplete dominance (doesn't match either parent)
Like the pink flower spawning from a white and red parent
Try your skill at determining traits of offspring by helping to sort the zoo babies in the game below!
Try your skill at determining traits of offspring by helping to sort the zoo babies in the game below!
Let’s take a look at some traits that are passed down from parents to offspring!
Let’s take a look at some traits that are passed down from parents to offspring!
Fur
Fur
These dogs inherit thick fluffy fur that help them survive cold temperatures and wind.
Flat Head Shape
Flat Head Shape
Eastern Hognose snakes inherit extra skin around their face that tricks animals into thinking it is a venomous cobra.
Capsaicin
Capsaicin
Chilis inherit capsaicin, a chemical that burns the mouth of animals trying to eat it.
Spiney Needles
Spiney Needles
Prickly pear cactus inherits spines that protect the plant from being eaten by animals.
Is Everything Passed Down?
Is Everything Passed Down?
Weight
Weight
A raccoon that ate a lot during the winter will not pass on his fatness level.
A raccoon that ate a lot during the winter will not pass on his fatness level.
Attitude
Attitude
A friendly mouse will not pass on her personal attitude.
A friendly mouse will not pass on her personal attitude.
Characteristics that an animal changes or acquires based on lifestyle are not passed on to offspring.
Characteristics that an animal changes or acquires based on lifestyle are not passed on to offspring.
Let’s take a look at the inherited trait of beak shape!
Let’s take a look at the inherited trait of beak shape!
Birds have beaks for obtaining food, but not all birds eat the same things so beaks come in different shapes.
Birds have beaks for obtaining food, but not all birds eat the same things so beaks come in different shapes.
Each is beak is specialized to catch the food that the bird eats.
Each is beak is specialized to catch the food that the bird eats.
Darwin's Finches
Darwin's Finches
Charles Darwin studied the different species of finches on the Galapagos Islands.
Charles Darwin studied the different species of finches on the Galapagos Islands.
He noted these birds all come from a common ancestor, but have different beak shapes now!
He noted these birds all come from a common ancestor, but have different beak shapes now!
The birds above look similar at first, but when you look closer you can see the shape of their beak (inherited trait) is different based on if they eat fruit, bugs, plants, or seeds!
The birds above look similar at first, but when you look closer you can see the shape of their beak (inherited trait) is different based on if they eat fruit, bugs, plants, or seeds!
Local Bird Beak Examples
Local Bird Beak Examples
Brown-headed cowbird
Brown-headed cowbird
Strong, thick beak for cracking seeds
red-winged blackbird
red-winged blackbird
Pointy beak for catching bugs
Common grackle
Common grackle
Strong, pointy beak for opening seeds, eating fruit, and catching bugs
Hummingbird
Hummingbird
Pointy, narrow beak for probing flowers for nectar
Things to Know!
Things to Know!
Quiz Time
Quiz Time
Everything you need to know for the quiz is in the content above! Good Luck :)
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