Biotechnology and Its Application 1. Humans have always applied their knowledge of the varied characteristics of plants and animals to satisfy their needs for food, shelter, and clothing. Grades 4-5 Heredity and Reproduction 1. Physical characteristics are passed on from parent to offspring. Organisms with two parents inherit characteristics of both.
Organisms have many distinct and unique features which they use for survival.
Specialized features include those for finding food, building shelters, evading predators, and reproducing. Scientists use similarities and differences in these features to classify and group organisms. Examine a variety of common plants and animals for similarities and differences in features such as animal tracks, beak shape, leaf structure. Use the similarities and differences of the features to develop appropriate classifications that sort and group these organisms. Organisms of the same species have variations which may provide an advantage in reproduction and survival.