Problem 12 Define innate behavior, and give... [FREE SOLUTION]

Chapter 37: Problem 12

Define innate behavior, and give an example.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Innate behavior is instinctual and present at birth, like a baby's rooting reflex.

Step by step solution

Understanding Innate Behavior

Innate behavior is inherent and present in an organism from birth. These behaviors are typically reflexive or instinctual and do not require learning or experience to express.

Examples of Innate Behavior

An example of an innate behavior is a reflex action. For instance, human babies have a rooting reflex, which is an automatic response to touch on the cheek that causes them to turn their head and open their mouth toward the stimulus. This behavior helps them seek out a nipple for feeding.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Reflex Actions

Reflex actions are automatic, quick responses to specific stimuli that occur without conscious thought. They operate through innate pathways called reflex arcs. This means that the response occurs before the brain is aware of the stimulus.

Examples of reflex actions include the knee-jerk reflex and withdrawing a hand from a hot surface. These reflexes are crucial for protecting the body from harm and for maintaining balance and posture.

Important characteristics of reflex actions include:

They are involuntary and do not involve conscious control.
They are consistent for a given stimulus.
They occur very quickly, typically in milliseconds.
They are uniform within a species.

Instinctual Behavior

Instinctual behavior refers to innate actions carried out by organisms without prior education or experience. Unlike reflex actions, which are simple and immediate, instinctual behaviors can be complex and can involve a series of actions triggered by environmental cues.

This type of behavior is crucial for survival and reproduction. For example, birds migrating thousands of miles every year, or salmon returning to their birthplace to spawn are driven by instinctual behaviors.

Key features of instinctual behavior include:

They are complex and involve multiple steps.
Once initiated, they typically proceed to completion.
They are triggered by specific stimuli, often environmental.

Human Infants

Human infants exhibit several innate behaviors that are critical for their survival and development. These innate responses are not learned, instead, they occur naturally and are present right from birth.

One classic example is the rooting reflex, where a baby turns its head towards a touch on the cheek to find food. Another is the grasp reflex, where infants will automatically grasp a finger or object placed in their palms. These reflexes help guide survival actions like feeding, which are essential during the early stages of life.

Features of innate behaviors in human infants include:

They assist in feeding and bonding with parents.
They are temporary and typically fade after a few months as the child develops more voluntary control.
They vary slightly across different individuals but are generally consistent across all human infants.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

91影视

Define innate behavior, and give an example.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Innate Behavior

Examples of Innate Behavior

Key Concepts

Reflex Actions

Instinctual Behavior

Human Infants

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Biology Textbooks

Bioenergetics

Biological Processes

Plant Biology

Biological Molecules

Chemistry of Life

Ecosystems

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.