Examples of genetically determined animal behaviors

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🧬 Genetically determined behaviors, also known as instincts, are behaviors that are hardwired into an animal's DNA.
• 🐣 These behaviors don't require any learning or experience; animals are born knowing how to perform them.
• 🕷️ Examples include spiders spinning webs, birds building nests, and salmon migrating back to their spawning grounds.
• 🐾 These behaviors are crucial for survival and reproduction.
• 🧪 Environmental factors can sometimes influence the expression of these behaviors, but the underlying blueprint is genetic.
• 🕰️ These behaviors have evolved over many generations through natural selection.
• 🌱 Some behaviors are triggered by specific stimuli, known as releasers.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following is the BEST example of a genetically determined behavior?
   1. A) A dog learning to sit on command.
   2. B) A bird building a nest.
   3. C) A monkey using a tool to get food.
   4. D) A child learning to ride a bicycle.
2. What is another term often used to describe genetically determined behaviors?
   1. A) Learned behavior
   2. B) Reflexive action
   3. C) Instinct
   4. D) Habit
3. Which of the following is LEAST likely to influence a genetically determined behavior?
   1. A) An animal's genes
   2. B) Environmental factors
   3. C) Past experiences
   4. D) Natural selection
4. A spider spinning a web is primarily driven by:
   1. A) Trial and error
   2. B) Social learning
   3. C) Genetic programming
   4. D) Environmental cues alone
5. Salmon returning to their birthplace to spawn is an example of:
   1. A) Classical conditioning
   2. B) Operant conditioning
   3. C) Migration instinct
   4. D) Habituation
6. What role does natural selection play in genetically determined behaviors?
   1. A) It eliminates all instincts.
   2. B) It refines instincts over generations for better survival.
   3. C) It has no impact on instincts.
   4. D) It only affects learned behaviors.
7. A newborn cuckoo bird pushing other eggs out of the nest is an example of:
   1. A) Learned behavior
   2. B) Social learning
   3. C) Genetically programmed behavior
   4. D) Imitation