Genes and Traits
A rose plant has pink flowers. If it has enough sunlight and water, what color flowers will its offspring grow? Why?
Pink flowers. Flower color is an inherited trait.
What is the first stage in a sunflower’s life cycle?
It starts as a seed.
What is one thing birds and fish have in common at the start of their life cycle?
They both hatch from eggs.
Dog, frog, bird, butterfly — which one does NOT belong? Why?
Butterfly because it is an invertebrate and goes through metamorphosis.
When a female lion has babies, are the babies the same species as their mother or a different species?
Babies are the same species as their mother. Species make more of the same species.
Which kind of trait can parents pass on to their offspring — learned things or body features?
Give an example.
Body features or physical traits. For example, fur that grows on a bear’s body.
Put these stages of a plant’s life cycle in the correct order: Flowering, Seeds, Death, Seedling, Seed
Seed → seedling → flowering → seeds → death
Why are legs helpful when a tadpole becomes a frog?
The legs allow it to move on land. Major survival advantage.
Some invertebrates grow bigger by shedding a hard outer covering. What is this covering called?
Exoskeleton. Invertebrates shed and grow new ones as they grow.
When animals make more of their own kind, what is this called?
Reproducing.
A pine tree has needle-shaped leaves.
What will its offspring’s leaves look like? Why?
Needle-shaped leaves. Traits are passed from parent to offspring.
What does a seed need to grow into a seedling?
A seed needs soil, water, and sunlight to grow into a seedling.
In which stage of a frog’s life does reproduction happen?
When it becomes an adult frog.
Does a lobster go through metamorphosis? Explain.
Lobsters change form as they grow so yes they go through metamorphosis.
A plant’s leaves turn brown. What change in the environment could cause this?
Too much sunlight. Not enough water.
The shape of a bird’s beak is an example of what — a behavior, environment, or a trait? Explain how you know.
Trait. Beak shape is a physical trait.
Why must a plant flower before it can make seeds?
Because flowers need pollen to make seeds.
Put these in the right order: Growth, Death, Reproduction, Birth
Birth → Growth → Reproduction → Death
Name two invertebrates that go through metamorphosis.
Butterfly, dragonfly, lobster
How do bees help plants reproduce?
Bees spread pollen between flowers which helps plants reproduce.
Can offspring look a little different from their parents but still be the same plant or animal? Give one example.
Offspring can look a little different but stay the same species. For example, there could be a variation in stem length.
A sunflower grows very tall but has pale leaves. Is this caused by genes or environment? Explain.
Environment. The sunflower likely did not get enough sunlight or nutrients.
Name all of the groups of animals that are vertebrates.
Mammals, reptiles, fish, amphibians, birds.
Which stage of a butterfly’s life cycle comes after the larva?
Pupa
How do a peacock’s large, colorful feathers help it reproduce?
They help the peacock attract a mate. Survival through reproduction.