Final answer:
The statement is true because heredity is a key factor in health, with genetic predisposition playing a significant role in disease risk. Genetic testing and pedigree analysis are used to assess the risk of inherited diseases. Some diseases follow a simple Mendelian inheritance, whereas others are influenced by multiple genes and environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement Heredity is a key determinant of health because genetic factors predispose individuals to certain diseases is TRUE. Heredity plays a significant role in determining an individual's health, as certain genes can predispose people to specific conditions like cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, or hereditary breast cancer. Moreover, being a carrier for a recessive genetic disorder means there is a risk of passing the disorder on to offspring, particularly if the other parent also carries the same recessive gene.
Genetic testing and pedigree analysis are key tools in understanding the risk of inherited diseases. While many diseases may not follow a simple Mendelian pattern of inheritance and are influenced by multiple genes (multigenic) and environmental factors, certain single-gene disorders can be accurately predicted. This helps in assessing the risk factors and establishing individual treatment and prevention guidelines for genetic disorders.