The Influence of Heredity and

Environment on Human
Development
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, students are able to:
Explain the concept of heredity and environment
Discuss the controversies between the influence
of heredity and environmental factors in relation
to human development
Heredity :
The transmission of traits and characteristics from
parent to child by means of genes.

Genetic :
The branch of biology that studies heredity.

Genetic (inherited) influences are fundamental in the
transmission of physical traits ,personality traits and
intelligence.
Chromosomes :
Rod-Shaped structures ,composed of genes, that are found
within the nuclei of the cells.

Autosome :
Either member of a pair of chromosomes (with the exception
of sex chromosomes)

Sex Chromosome :
A chromosome in the shape of a Y (male) or X (female) that
determine the sex of the child.


Gene :
The basic unit of heredity . Genes are composed DNA

DNA (deoxyribo-nucleic acid) :
Genetic material that takes the form of double helix
composed of phosphates, sugars, and bases

Mitosis :
A form of cell division in which each chromosome
splits lengthwise to double in number. Half of each
chromosome combines with chemicals to retake its
original form and then moves to the new cell.
Mieosis :
The form of cell division in which each pair of
chromosomes splits ,so that one member of each
pair move to the new cell. As a result , each new cell
has 23 chromosomes.


Ovary :
A female reproductive organ, located in the
abdomen, that produces female reproductive cells
(ova).

Ovum :
A female reproductive cell.

Ovulation :
The release of an ovum from an ovary.

Zygote :
A fertilized ovum.

Monozygotic (MZ)twins :
Twins that derive from a single zygote that has split
into to identical twins. Each MZ twin carries the same
genetic code

Dizygotic (DZ) twins :
Twins that derive from two zygotes, fraternal twins.
Dominant Trait :
A trait that is expressed.

Recessive Trait :
A trait that is not expressed when the gene or genes
involved have been paired with dominant genes.
Recessive traits are transmitted to future
generations and expressed if they paired with other
recessive genes.
Dominant and Recessive Traits
Dominant and Recessive Traits
Traits are determine by pairs of genes.
Each member of a pair of gene is referred to as
an allele.
When both of the alleles are the
same=homozygous.
When the alleles are differ=heterozygous.
Gregor Mendel realize that some traits results
from an averaging of the genetic instruction
carried by the parents. When the effects of
both alleles are show- incomplete dominance
or codominance.

Mendel also discovered the law of
dominance.
When a dominant allele is paired with a
recessive allele the traits determine by the
dominant allele appears in the offsprings.

Truth or fiction revisited:
Brown eyes are dominant over blue eyes
If one parent carried genes for brown eyes
only and the other carried gene for blue eyes
only, the children will have brown eyes.
But if the parents also carry recessive gene
for blue eyes, the child can have blue eyes.
Some genes switch other genes on or off at
various time during development.
Dominant gene can cancel the effect of recessive
gene that carry illness.
Chromosomal or genetic abnormalities can cause
health problem.
Chromosomal disorders reflect abnormalities in the
22 pairs of outosomes and others in the 23
rd
pair
(the sex chromosomes).
Some genetic abnormalities are cause by a single
pair, others by combinations of genes.
Chromosomal Abnormality

Normally speaking, people have 46
chromosomes. When children have more or
fewer chromosomes, they usually experience
health problems or behavioral abnormalities.
The risk of chromosomal abnormalities rises
with the age of the parents.
(Behrman et al.,2000)
Chromosomal Abnormalities
1. Down syndrome
Cause by an extra chromosome on the 21
st
pair
resulting in 47 chromosomes.
Although parent are more likely to bear children
with the syndrome.
Characteristic a rounded face, protruding
tongue, a broad flat nose, sloping fold of skin
over the inner corners of the eyes.
Usually dye from cardiovascular problems by
middle age.
Show deficits in cognitive development
including language and motor development.
Frequent disorder of the ear, nose and throat lead
to academic problem.
Has adjustment problems in school and
community.
Tend to need more attention from parents.



Down Syndrome
2. Sex-linked chromosomal abnormalities.
Individuals with an abnormal number of sex
chromosome are infertile.
Male with extra Y chromosomes (XYY) taller than
average & develop heavier beard.
Have more problems than XY male even though
there are referred as supermales delayed in
language development.
In prison, XYY males committed crimes against
property rather than against a person.
In general population, most do not show
aggressive criminal behavior.
Klinefelter Syndrome
Klinefelter Syndrome in male is cause by an extra X
chromosomes (XXY).
XXY male produce less testosterone
Testis, deepening of the voice of the mascularture
and body hair do not develop properly.
Usually have enlarged breast (gynecomastia), and
mildly mentally retarded in language skill.
Treated with testosterone replacement therapy.

Klinefelter Syndrome
Turner syndrome
Female with single X sex chromosomes Turner
syndrome.
External genitals of the girls are normal but their
ovaries are poorly developed and they produce little
estrogen.
The girls are shorter than average and infertile.
Do not develop breast or menstruate.
Cognitive deficits related with low estrogen levels
problems in visual-spatial skills.
Mathematics and nonverbal memory.
Have some motor impairment.
Turner syndrome
Triple X syndrome
Triple X syndrome=XXX sex chromosomal structure.
Normal in appearance but lower-than-average
language skills and poorer memory for recent
events.
Development of external sexual organ appears
normal although increase infertility.
Genetic Abnormalities
1. Phenylketonuria (PKU)
An enzyme disorder, transmitted by a recessive gene.
If both parents have the gene, PKU will be transmitted to
one child in four, two will be carriers and one will not be
affected.
Cannot metabolized amino acid phenylalanine and impairs
central nervous system function.
Results in mental retardation, psychological disorders and
physical problems.
Detect in newborn children through analysis of blood and
urine.
Prevents food with high phenylalanine.

2. Huntingtons Disease (HD)
A fatal, progressive degenerative disorder and is a
dominant trait.
Physical symptoms uncontrollable muscle
movements.
Psychological symptoms loss of intellectual
functioning and personality change.
Onset until middle adulthood.
Medicines are helpful but do not cure it.

3. Sickle-Cell Anemia
Caused by a recessive gene.
Red blood cells take on the shape of a sickle and
clump together decrease oxygen supply.
Impair academic performance and performance on
tests of verbal skills, attention and memory.
Problems painful and swollen joints, jaundice,
pneumonia, stroke and heart and kidney failure.
4. Tay-Sachs Disease
Caused by a recessive gene.
Degenerate central nervous systems death.
Lose control over their muscles.
Experience visual and auditory sensory losses,
mental retardation, paralyzed and die early.

5. Cystic Fibrosis
Caused by a recessive gene.
Excessive production of thick mucus that clogs
the pancreas and lungs.
Most die of respiratory infections in their
20s.


6. Sex-Linked Genetic Abnormalities.
Genetic defects like hemophilia, are carried on
the X sex chromosomes = called Sex-Linked
Genetic Abnormalities.
Females who have two X chromosomes are less
likely then males to show this disorder.
More to afflict sons of female carriers.
Muscular dystrophy weakening of the muscles.
Others diabetes, color blindness, etc.
Genetic Counseling :
Compiling information about a couples genetic
heritage to explore whether their children might
develop genetic abnormalities.


Genetic Counseling and Prenatal
Testing
There are many methods that indicate whether the embryo
or fetus carry genetic abnormalities. These include
amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, ultrasound, a
number of blood tests, and fetoscopy

Amniocentesis :
A procedure for drawing and examining fetal cells
sloughed off into amniotic fluid to determine the
presence of various disorder.




Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) :
A method for the prenata;l detection of genetic
abnormalities that samples the membrane
enveloping the amniotic sac and fetus .

Ultrasound Techniqe :
Using of ultrasound (the waves that are too high
frequency to be heard by the human ear) to generate
a picture of the fetus. This picture is referred to as a
Sonogram.


Ultrasound Techniqe :

Blood Test :
Parental blood test can reveal the presence of
recessive genes for a variety of disorder ,such as
sickle-cell anemia Tay-Sachs disease ,and cystic
fibrosis.

Alpha-Fetoprotein(AFP) Assay :
A blood test that assesses the mothers blood level of
alpha-fetoprotein .a substance that is linked with
fetal neuraltube defects.
Fetoscopy :
Surgical insertion of a narrow tube into the uterus
through the abdomen in order to examine the
fetus during the second and third trimesters of the
pregnancy.
Heredity and the Environment:
Nature vs. Nurture
Heredity provides the biological basis for a
reaction range in the expression of traits.
Traits can vary in expression depending on
environmental condition.
Traits that we inherit from our parents =
genotypes.
Our actual sex of traits at any point in time =
phenotype (the product of genetic and
environmental influences).
Genotype : The genetic form or constitution of a
person as determined by heredity.

Reaction Time :The variability in the expression of
inherited traits as they are influenced by
environmental factors.

Phenotype : The actual form or constitution of a
person as determined by heredity and environmental
factors.
Heredity and the Environment
Research strategies which use to sort out the effect of
genetic and Environmental influences on development
are :

Kinship Studies :Study the distribution of a particular
pattern among relatives who differ in degree of
genetic closeness.
Kinship Studies:
Are the Traits of Relative Related?
The more closely people are related, the more
genes they have in common.
Parents-children and siblings have a 50% overlap
in their genetic endowments.
Aunts/uncles and grandparents have a 25%
overlap with nieces/nephews and grandchildren
respectively.
First cousin share 12.5% of their genetic
endorsement.

Kinship Studies:
Are the Traits of Relative Related?
People who are more closely related should be
more likely to share the pattern.
Twins Studies:
Looking in the Genetic Mirror.
MZ twins 100% of genes.
DZ twins have a 50% overlap like siblings.
MZ compare to DZ twins
Resemble each other more closely.
Physical similarities may be more subtle and strong.
Alike in their blood pressure, brain wave pattern, speech
pattern, gestures, and mannerisms.
Resemble more strongly in intelligence and personality
straits.
Tend to choose marriage over the single life.
More likely to share psychological disorder such as
autisms, depressions, schizophrenia and
vulnerability to alcoholism.
Concordance rates in autism, MZ = 96%. DZ twins =
24%.
Twin studies are not perfect. To solve the
problem compare MZ twins who were
reared in different homes.


Identical twins
Adoption Studies
Studies in which children are separated from
their natural parents at an early age and reared
by adoptive parents.
Psychologists look for the relative similarities
between children and their adoptive and natural
parents.
When children who are reared by adoptive
parents are more similar to their natural parent,
argument are made for genetic role in the
appearance of that trait.
Human beings are products of both heredity and
environment
The Rubber-Band Theory explains how these two
forces interacts


Conclusion