OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

What does innate behavior refer to in animals?

1. Learned behaviors from experience

2. Behaviors influenced by the environment

3. Behaviors that are inherited genetically

4. Behaviors developed through social interactions

The correct answer is: Behaviors that are inherited genetically

Innate behavior refers to those actions and responses that are genetically inherited and are not dependent on environmental factors or individual experiences. These behaviors are typically hardwired in an organism’s DNA and tend to be consistent across individuals of the same species. They often aid in survival and reproduction, providing immediate responses to stimuli that are crucial for the animal's wellbeing. For example, many instincts such as nest-building in birds or reflex actions like a baby's grasp reflex are innate behaviors. These behaviors occur without the need for prior learning or experience, and they are generally exhibited by all members of a species. Other types of behaviors mentioned, such as learned behaviors, those influenced by the environment, or behaviors developed through social interactions, involve some form of experiential learning or adaptation and do not reflect the innate, genetically programmed nature of the actions classified as innate behaviors.