Question

Many human traits, such as our performance on intelligence tests or our susceptibility to heart disease, are ______.

A) determined only by our genes
B) influenced by both genes and the environment
C) determined by genes in some people and by the environment in other people
D) not affected by our genes

Answer 1

Human traits, including intelligence and health susceptibilities, are influenced by a combination of genetics and environmental factors, indicating a complex interaction between them.

Step-by-step explanation:

Many human traits, such as our performance on intelligence tests or our susceptibility to heart disease, are influenced by both genes and the environment.

This concept is a reflection of the reciprocal interaction between nature (genetics) and nurture (environment) which shapes who we become.

Human traits are often polygenic, meaning they are controlled by multiple genes, and these traits can be affected by environmental factors, such as diet or exercise in the case of heart disease susceptibility.

Moreover, a phenomenon known as genetic environmental correlation shows that our genetic makeup not only influences our physical and behavioral traits, but also influences the environment we are exposed to, creating a bidirectional relationship between our genes and our surroundings.