Question

What are the four key limitations of heritability estimates? Describe and give examples where applicable.

Answer 1

The four key limitations of heritability estimates are the complexity of traits, misinterpretation of heritability, population-specific estimates, and changing environments.

Step-by-step explanation:

There are four key limitations to heritability estimates:

1. Complexity of traits: Many traits are influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors, making it difficult to isolate the genetic component.
2. Misinterpretation of heritability: Heritability measures only the proportion of variation that is due to genetics, not the specific genes involved.
3. Population-specific estimates: Heritability estimates are specific to the population being studied and may not apply to other populations.
4. Changing environments: Heritability estimates may change if the environment changes, as the genetic component of a trait can interact with different environments.

For example, intelligence is a complex trait influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors, so estimating the heritability of intelligence is challenging. Additionally, heritability estimates for certain traits may vary across different populations, such as when studying the heritability of skin color in different ethnic groups. Finally, if the environment changes, such as improvements in nutrition and education, the heritability estimates for traits like height and academic achievement may change over time.