How the environment can change an organism's traits

Question 1

Is this trait mostly inherited, or affected by the environment: natural eye colour?

• A. mostly inherited
• B. affected by the environment

Question 2

Traits and the environment: which statement is true?

• A. A plant kept in the dark will pass paleness on to its seeds.
• B. Plants grown with more light and nutrients usually grow larger.
• C. Identical twins always have exactly the same weight.
• D. The environment cannot change any trait.

Question 3

Identical twins grow up in different countries. One becomes much more muscular. What best explains this?

• A. One of them grew an extra bone.
• B. They have different parents.
• C. Different exercise and diet changed their bodies.
• D. Muscles are inherited only.

Question 4

Is this trait mostly inherited, or affected by the environment: the shape of a sunflower's leaves?

• A. mostly inherited
• B. affected by the environment

Question 5

Traits and the environment: which statement is true?

• A. A plant kept in the dark will pass paleness on to its seeds.
• B. Identical twins always have exactly the same weight.
• C. The environment cannot change any trait.
• D. Plants grown with more light and nutrients usually grow larger.

Question 6

Flamingos are born grey. Why do adult flamingos turn pink?

• A. They get sunburnt.
• B. Their parents were painted pink.
• C. Pink colours in the shrimps and algae they eat build up in their feathers.
• D. They paint themselves.

Question 7

Is this trait mostly inherited, or affected by the environment: natural eye colour?

• A. mostly inherited
• B. affected by the environment

Question 8

Traits and the environment: which statement is true?

• A. The environment cannot change any trait.
• B. Identical twins always have exactly the same weight.
• C. Many traits are affected by both inheritance and environment.
• D. A plant kept in the dark will pass paleness on to its seeds.

Question 9

Two identical seedlings are grown: one in a sunny spot, one in deep shade. The shaded one is tall, thin and pale. Why?

• A. It inherited different genes.
• B. It was a different kind of plant.
• C. Shade makes plants healthier.
• D. Lack of light changed how it grew.

Question 10

Is this trait mostly inherited, or affected by the environment: a plant leaning towards a window?

• A. mostly inherited
• B. affected by the environment

Question 11

Traits and the environment: which statement is true?

• A. A plant kept in the dark will pass paleness on to its seeds.
• B. Identical twins always have exactly the same weight.
• C. A scar is a trait caused by the environment, not inherited.
• D. The environment cannot change any trait.

Question 12

The same type of hydrangea plant has blue flowers in one garden and pink in another. What could cause this?

• A. the plants are different species
• B. differences in the soil
• C. the day of the week
• D. the gardener's favourite colour

Question 13

Is this trait mostly inherited, or affected by the environment: a dog's breed?

• A. mostly inherited
• B. affected by the environment

Question 14

Traits and the environment: which statement is true?

• A. The environment cannot change any trait.
• B. A plant kept in the dark will pass paleness on to its seeds.
• C. A scar is a trait caused by the environment, not inherited.
• D. Identical twins always have exactly the same weight.

Question 15

The same type of hydrangea plant has blue flowers in one garden and pink in another. What could cause this?

• A. the day of the week
• B. the gardener's favourite colour
• C. differences in the soil
• D. the plants are different species

Question 16

Is this trait mostly inherited, or affected by the environment: a flamingo's pink colour?

• A. mostly inherited
• B. affected by the environment