Final answer:
Human traits like height and skin tone are influenced by both genes and the environment, with factors such as nutrition and sun exposure playing a role in their expression. These traits are also commonly polygenic, involving multiple genes which interact with environmental factors to determine the phenotype.
Step-by-step explanation:
Many human traits, such as height and skin tone, are influenced by both genes and the environment. Genetic factors can predetermine certain characteristics, but environmental factors such as nutrition, sun exposure, temperature, and cultural elements also have a significant impact on how these traits are expressed. For example, while genes dictate the potential for one's height, poor nutrition can inhibit reaching this potential. Similarly, skin tone is affected by genes, but exposure to sunlight can modify its pigmentation. Additionally, complex traits like these are usually polygenic, meaning they are controlled not by a single gene, but by multiple genes. This complexity allows for a broad spectrum of possible phenotypes, which can be further diversified by the environment. Therefore, for most traits, there is a continuous interaction between our genetic makeup and our surroundings, shaping the observable traits and behaviors.