Explain the Potential Effects of Five Different Life Factors on the Development of an Individual
P2 – Explain the potential effects of five different life factors on the development of an individual
Genetics affect who you will grow to be in many ways. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the language of life that is within every living thing, genetic instructions that form what we will become. There is still much of the language that scientists don’t understand, but after extensive research scientists have found that certain gene codes actually relate to increased chances of developing a cancer or disease. We only have to look at family medical histories to know that is true, some diseases are clearly more common in families than in unrelated people. But whether a genetic predisposition actually makes a person ill depends on the interaction between genes and the environment. For example you are much more likely to develop lung cancer within your lifetime if your parents/grandparents have had it; it is likely that you have been handed down a gene that increases your risk of developing it. However if you smoke regularly and do little exercise then you are putting yourself at an increased risk of developing it sooner and more rapidly. Genetics also affect our appearances, body shape and how tall we can become. Half our chromosomes come from our mother and the other from our father. Our appearances tend to more or less a mix of our mother and fathers however some of our attributes of appearance may be similar to our grandparents. As genes can sometimes seemingly ‘miss a generation’ but the genes are still passed down just not aesthetically visible. Our genes also affect the timing of when puberty occurs, but environmental factors such as nutrition also have an effect.
Biological influences are things that affect a child before birth, better known as a foetus at this stage of development. However, this does not only include the time period from conception till birth, the 3 months prior to conception are also very important when it comes to a child’s development. For
Genetics affect who you will grow to be in many ways. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the language of life that is within every living thing, genetic instructions that form what we will become. There is still much of the language that scientists don’t understand, but after extensive research scientists have found that certain gene codes actually relate to increased chances of developing a cancer or disease. We only have to look at family medical histories to know that is true, some diseases are clearly more common in families than in unrelated people. But whether a genetic predisposition actually makes a person ill depends on the interaction between genes and the environment. For example you are much more likely to develop lung cancer within your lifetime if your parents/grandparents have had it; it is likely that you have been handed down a gene that increases your risk of developing it. However if you smoke regularly and do little exercise then you are putting yourself at an increased risk of developing it sooner and more rapidly. Genetics also affect our appearances, body shape and how tall we can become. Half our chromosomes come from our mother and the other from our father. Our appearances tend to more or less a mix of our mother and fathers however some of our attributes of appearance may be similar to our grandparents. As genes can sometimes seemingly ‘miss a generation’ but the genes are still passed down just not aesthetically visible. Our genes also affect the timing of when puberty occurs, but environmental factors such as nutrition also have an effect.
Biological influences are things that affect a child before birth, better known as a foetus at this stage of development. However, this does not only include the time period from conception till birth, the 3 months prior to conception are also very important when it comes to a child’s development. For
References: [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoking_and_pregnancy [2] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18689728 http://www.livestrong.com/article/236228-what-are-different-factors-that-could-harm-an-unborn-baby/#ixzz2BTfCHa4p http://www.genome.gov/17516715 http://www.livestrong.com/article/89055-environmental-influences-human-growth-/#ixzz2JS6CnwU3 Shelter Leaflet Class notes