Final answer:
Environmental factors like mother's health during pregnancy and nutrition during growth significantly influence an individual's phenotype, alongside genetic determinants. Epigenetics demonstrates the heritable changes in gene expression due to environmental exposures, further shaping phenotypical traits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phenotype of an individual is not only determined by their genetic make-up but also significantly influenced by environmental factors. For instance, a fetus that experiences famine or infection while in the womb receives different environmental signals than one that receives adequate nutrition and is free from prenatal infections. This variation in conditions can lead to different developmental outcomes. Similarly, the concept of epigenetics explains that environmental exposures or trauma can cause heritable changes in gene expression, which subsequently affect phenotypical traits such as height or susceptibility to diseases.
Matters like prenatal care play a critical role in ensuring a healthy phenotype since the fetus depends on the mother for nutrients and protection against harmful substances. Ingredients like folic acid can help prevent birth defects, and routine prenatal care can decrease the risk of complications. Postnatal factors, such as nutrition and exposure to sunlight, also shape physical characteristics such as height and skin tone, revealing a complex interplay between our genes and environment.