Final answer:
Human ontogeny is the study of the origins and growth of the individual, which is a true statement. It encompasses developmental processes from fertilization to maturity and is a key aspect of Biological Anthropology. The concept of lifespan development covers changes throughout a human's life, from conception to death.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that human ontogeny refers to the developmental history or the study of the origins and growth of the individual is true. Ontogeny encompasses the entire development of an organism from the moment of fertilization to its mature form, including the various physical, genetic, and cellular processes involved. This concept is integral to the field of Biological Anthropology, which studies the biological and sociocultural development of humans.
One historical hypothesis connected with human ontogeny is "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny," proposed by Ernst Haeckel. However, modern biology has evolved beyond this view, understanding that while certain embryonic stages may echo ancestral forms, development is not a direct recapitulation of evolutionary stages.
The subject of lifespan development can be defined as the study of how we grow and change from conception to death, including all aspects of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial changes that occur throughout a human's life. It is an ongoing process experienced by every human being, as described in the chapter overview on human growth and development.