Key Idea.
Section 1
Scientists Predict Traits with Patterns
Scientists learn about traits by looking for clues. They study information about parent sparrows and their young to see how they are similar and different.
When they compare parents and their offspring, they often find patterns. For example, a parent sparrow with a certain song might have offspring that learn a similar song. These patterns show how traits can be passed down.
Section 2
The World Helps Shape a Sparrow
A baby sparrow gets many of its traits from its parents. These inherited traits can include the color of its feathers or the shape of its beak.
However, not all traits are inherited. The world around a living thing, its environment, also helps shape its characteristics. For example, a young White-Crowned Sparrow must listen to adult sparrows to learn its special song. This is a learned behavior.
Expand to review the lesson summary and core properties.
Section 1
Scientists Predict Traits with Patterns
Scientists learn about traits by looking for clues. They study information about parent sparrows and their young to see how they are similar and different.
When they compare parents and their offspring, they often find patterns. For example, a parent sparrow with a certain song might have offspring that learn a similar song. These patterns show how traits can be passed down.
Section 2
The World Helps Shape a Sparrow
A baby sparrow gets many of its traits from its parents. These inherited traits can include the color of its feathers or the shape of its beak.
However, not all traits are inherited. The world around a living thing, its environment, also helps shape its characteristics. For example, a young White-Crowned Sparrow must listen to adult sparrows to learn its special song. This is a learned behavior.