Final answer:
The statement that approximately 50 genes contribute to determining body weight and body conformation is true. Genetics play a significant role in these physical traits, and numerous genes related to appetite and metabolism predispose individuals to obesity when there is an excess of food energy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding the assertion that approximately 50 genes contribute to determining body weight and body conformation, the statement is True. The genetic influences on obesity and other physical traits are complex and involve numerous genes. Research in genetics has shown that various genes that regulate appetite, metabolism, and energy utilization can predispose individuals to obesity when there is an excess of food energy. Moreover, family studies have indicated a strong genetic component to obesity. For instance, there is an 80 percent likelihood of offspring being obese when both parents are obese, as opposed to a much smaller percentage when both parents are of normal weight.
The relationship between genetics and physical traits substantiates that the genetic makeup of an organism influences its physical features including body weight and conformation. In the study of biology, and particularly genetics, it's understood that multiple genes are at play in the determination of a wide range of traits. This intricate interplay of genes illustrates how each contributes to the phenotype, which includes observable characteristics such as body weight and shape.