Day 3Day 3What Makes You Who You What Makes You Who You Are? Are?

• Quick review of Inherited traits and acquired/learned traits

• A combination of both: Inherited traits and acquired/learned traits

• Environmental factors contributing to changes in traits

VocabularyVocabularyPersonalityOutgoingEnergeticEnvironmental

factors LanguageGenes

NatureNurtureEvolveMutateAdaptationSickle cell

anemia

Quick reviewQuick reviewInherited traits are characteristics that we are born with. We inherit traits from our parents.

Some traits are passed on only through the mother or only through the father. Others are passed on depending on what traits are strongest between the parents.

Acquired traits are things that we learn. It is not always easy to tell which traits are inherited and which are acquired.

Some acquired traits come from observing family members or others around us…also called ‘learned’ traits.

A combination of bothA combination of both

Some traits may be a combination of both, inherited and acquired. Sometimes we start out with an inherited trait that we develop because of what we learn.

For example, you may have inherited intelligence from your mom, but it is up to you to use your intelligence to do well in school.

A combination of both A combination of both (cont’d)(cont’d)Some people are born with a calm, quiet personality and some people are more outgoing and energetic. A calm, quiet person can be pleasant and a good listener. An outgoing, energetic person can be entertaining to others. But both of these people can also have problems if they don’t work with their traits in a positive way. A quiet person can become shy and awkward and an outgoing, energetic person can demand too much attention and forget about others.

Sometimes environmental Sometimes environmental factors contribute to changes factors contribute to changes in traitsin traits Traits such as native

language are environmentally determined: any child (if capable of learning a language at all) can learn any human language.

Adaptation occurs when you make a change within yourself in order to better adjust to your surroundings. For example, when the weather changes and temperatures drop, people adapt by wearing extra layers of clothing to remain warm.

“Nature versus nurture" debate videoEvolve to survive - living thing mutates and

whatever variation that makes it better at passing down genes, will be passed down.

Sometimes environmental Sometimes environmental factors contribute to changes factors contribute to changes in traits in traits (cont’d)(cont’d)

However, with virtually all inherited and acquired or learned traits, genes and

environment work together, communicating back and forth to create the individual.

I feel sick, and you don’t?

You have just arrived in Ghana, on the west coast of Africa. You step off the plane and a swarm of mosquitoes surrounds you. Before you get in your cab to go to your hotel, you notice at least five mosquito bites starting to itch on your arm. You don’t think much about it--after all, you’ve had hundreds of mosquitoes bites before. You’re not going to let a few bites keep you from seeing the elephants and wild boars, after all. About ten days later, though, you wake up feeling AWFUL! You have a headache, a high fever, and you feel sick to your stomach. Your African guide takes you to a local clinic where a blood test is done. Diagnosis? MALARIA.

Malaria is a disease spread by mosquitoes’ saliva. It injects the parasite into your body when it bites you and makes you very sick. These parasites attacks your red blood cells. If left untreated, it could kill you.

After taking the medication and getting better, you ask your guide, “have you had malaria?” He smiles, and explains: “I have sickle-cell anemia. Malaria does not make me sick.”

Task – Answer the following questions: 1.How does having sickle-cell anemia increase your chance of survival if you live in Ghana?2.Is there an advantage to having sickle-cell anemia if you live in the U. S.? Why?

Investigation: A trip to Africa

Adaptation: When animals or plants adapt to their environment, they are provided with certain traits that help them survive within a certain type of environment. These traits can be inherited or acquired. Sometimes the traits are not useful and they prevent the animal from surviving. Over a long period of time, the trait of a group of animals in an area become more and more beneficial to their survival in that specific area.Examples:

◦ Seagulls are adapted to a life near the shore with webbed feet and a life in the air with wings and feathers to help them fly.

◦ Animals that live in deserts usually have some common traits. They all get by on very little water. They prefer being active when the temperature is the coolest. Animals that live in cold climates have similar adaptations. They may be active only during the middle of the day when the temperature is warmest. They may have thicker fur or more feathers.

◦ Plants also have traits adapted to certain types of environment. Cactus plants have a thick waxy skin to prevent the loss of water.

The term, “survival of the fittest,” is used to mean that a plant or animal that “fits” best in its environment and is able to reproduce and pass on those traits will survive.

Source > I feel sick, and you don't?

Investigation: A trip to Africa (cont’d)