Question

If an individual expresses a different behavioral trait (e.g., a mating dance) in different environments, then what term would you use to define that behavior?

Fixed
Plastic
Heritable

Answer 1

The term that I would use to define a behavior that varies depending on the environment is plastic. Plasticity is the ability of an organism to change its behavior in response to environmental cues or conditions1. Plastic behaviors are adaptive because they allow the organism to adjust to different situations and optimize its fitness2. For example, some birds may alter their mating dances depending on the presence of predators, competitors, or mates3. Plasticity is different from fixed behaviors, which are rigid and innate, and heritable behaviors, which are genetically determined and passed on to offspring.