What’s the difference between characteristics caused by environmental and genetic factors?

A characteristic that is determined by genetic factors is a feature which is coded for in a person's genetics, inherited from their parents, as opposed to environmental factors which are caused by the conditions they are exposed to after birth. An example of a genetic characteristic could be a person's natural hair colour, likely inherited from their parents, grandparents, etc. Whereas an environmental characteristic could be, for example, a scar - a feature they gained due to the conditions they have been exposed to during their life. Some characteristics can be influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, for example height. Here, a persona will have a genetic coding for the ability to grow to a certain height, but may not attain this due to environmental factors such as malnourishment in childhood.

AB

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

The peppered moth is a moth species with pale brown wings. During the industrial revolution, the number of black speciemens increased dramatically around urban areas. Explain this phenomenon using the concepts of natural selection.


Define a gene


Explain the difference between Lamarck’s and Darwin’s theory of evolution? Why was Darwin’s more successful?


Give the full balanced symbol and word equation for aerobic respiration