Environment and heredity both influence development with genetic potentials generally establishing limits on environmental influences. True or false?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The statement is true. Genetic potentials usually confine the effect of the environmental influences on development.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Terms

Firstly, the terms in the question should be well understood. Heredity refers to traits and features we inherit from our parents through genes, like skin color, eye color, height, etc. Environment refers to the external factors and experiences that we are exposed to throughout our life - like our home, school, culture, and physical environment.
02

Analyzing the Interaction

Next, must analyze how heredity (genes) and environment interact with each other in influencing our development. Many research studies have shown that while our genes set a certain trajectory for our development, our environment can also influence how those genes are expressed. This phenomenon is known as gene-environment interaction.
03

Understanding Genetic Limits

Lastly, it is important to understand that while the environment can influence gene expression, there are certain limits imposed by our genetic potentials. For instance, a child might have the genetic potential to be tall, but if they do not receive adequate nutrition (environmental factor), they won't reach their maximum genetically determined height. However, with optimal nutrition, they can reach that genetic potential, but not exceed it. Therefore, it can be said that genetic potentials determine limits to environmental influences.

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