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 ▸

What are three ways that red blood cells are significantly different to other specialised animal cells?


Explain the concept of recessive and dominant alleles


Describe the process of evolution by natural selection


Explain how the carbon is recycled into the growth of new leaves