Innate Behaviour | Ecology & Environment | Biology | FuseSchool

Summary

Innate behavior refers to instinctive actions that are encoded in an animal's DNA, such as a spider spinning a web or a baby sucking instinctively. It is inherited, intrinsic, stereotypical, inflexible, and fully developed from birth. This behavior cannot be changed by the individual and is subject to natural selection. Reflexes, like pulling your hand away from something hot, are examples. A study on aggressive mice showed that genetic traits influence behavior, though the environment also plays a role in shaping behavior. Overall, innate behavior is crucial for survival and is present even in isolation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Innate behavior is behavior that is inherited through DNA and is instinctive, such as a spider knowing how to spin a web.
• 😀 This type of behavior is intrinsic, meaning it will be present even if an animal is raised in isolation without external influences.
• 😀 Innate behavior is stereotypical, meaning it is performed in the same way every time.
• 😀 It is inflexible, meaning it cannot be changed or influenced by experience or learning.
• 😀 Innate behavior can be complex and does not need to be learned, it is fully developed from birth.
• 😀 It is beneficial because it is encoded in DNA and subject to natural selection.
• 😀 Reflexes, such as automatically pulling your hand away from something hot, are examples of innate behavior.
• 😀 A scientist named Lagerspetz conducted an experiment with aggressive mice to show a genetic basis for innate behavior.
• 😀 The experiment found that when aggressive mice were bred together, aggressive offspring were produced, indicating genetic influence on behavior.
• 😀 Despite evidence of genetic influence, it is difficult to find purely innate behavior, as environmental factors can also impact behavior.
• 😀 There are five key characteristics of innate behavior: heritable, intrinsic, stereotypic, inflexible, and consummate (fully developed from first performance).

Q & A

What is innate behavior?

Innate behavior is behavior that an animal is born with, inherited through its DNA. It is instinctive and does not require learning or practice.

Can you give an example of innate behavior?

A spider knows how to spin a web as soon as it is born, and a baby can suckle instinctively. Both are examples of innate behaviors.

What does 'intrinsic' mean in the context of innate behavior?

'Intrinsic' means that the behavior is present in an animal even if it is raised in isolation, without parents or others of its species to teach it.

How does innate behavior differ from learned behavior?

Innate behavior is genetically programmed and is performed in the same way every time, whereas learned behavior is acquired through experience or teaching.

What is meant by 'stereotypical' in innate behavior?

Stereotypical means that innate behavior is performed in the same way each time, without variation.

What does 'inflexible' mean in terms of innate behavior?

'Inflexible' means that innate behavior does not change, even as a result of experience. It is not adaptable.

How is innate behavior beneficial?

Innate behavior is beneficial because it is encoded in DNA and subject to natural selection, meaning behaviors that help survival are passed on and become more common over time.

What is a reflex, and how does it relate to innate behavior?

A reflex, such as pulling your hand away from something hot, is an example of innate behavior. It happens automatically, without conscious thought or learning.

What did the scientist Lagerspetz's experiment show about innate behavior?

Lagerspetz's experiment with aggressive mice showed that certain genetic lines, when bred together, produced more aggressive offspring, suggesting a genetic basis for innate behavior.

What are the five key characteristics of innate behavior?

The five characteristics of innate behavior are: 1) Heritable (passed through DNA), 2) Intrinsic (present in isolation), 3) Stereotypic (performed the same way every time), 4) Inflexible (does not change), and 5) Consummate (fully developed at first performance).