5-Analyze the role of heredity and the environment

Heredity and the environment interact to determine a childs course of

development. I learned from Chapter 2 of Children that environmental
experiences and biological foundations work together to make us who we are. The
genetic foundation of development are chromosomes, DNA, and genes. The DNA
which makes up our genes is from both parents. Genes get passed from generation
to generations by three processes; mitosis, meiosis, and fertilization. Combining the
genes of two people increases genetic variability in the populations, this is valuable
because it provides more characteristics for natural selection. Most mutated genes
are recessive. Sometimes abnormalities characterize the genetic process. A few
chromosomal abnormalities are; Down syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, Fragile X
syndrome, Turner syndrome, and XYY syndrome. Abnormalities can be produced by
an abnormal chromosome or gene. I learned from Chapter 2 of Children there are
more than 7,000 genetic disorders. A small sample of gene-linked abnormalities are;
cystic fibrosis, diabetes, Hemophilia, Huntingtons disease, phenylketonuria, sicklecell anemia, spina bifida, and Tay-Sachs disease. Behavior genetics tries to figure
out what is responsible for the differences among people. This field seeks to
discover the influences of heredity and the environment or individual differences in
human traits and development. Through heredity-environmental correlation
individual genes may be systematically related to the types of environments to
which they are exposed. Individuals seek out or construct environments that may be
related or linked to genetic propensities. There are three ways heredity and
environments can be connected:
1) Passive genotype-environment correlations
2) Evocative genotype correlations
3) Active genotype correlations
Non-shared environmental experiences create a childs unique experiences both
inside and outside the family. I learned the epigenetic views states that
development reflects on ongoing, bidirectional interchange between heredity and
the environment. Environmental influences range from three things we group
together to biological encounters. I learned from the power point Prenatal
influences what a teratogen is. A teratogen is a toxic agent in the environment that
are capable of causing developmental abnormalities or birth defects. I learned
malnutrition before and after both virtually dooms a child to stunted brain
development. When this happens, their mental capacity is considerably diminished.
Here is a list of a few agents that can cause developmental abnormalities or birth
defects: alcohol, smoking cocaine, Accutane, aspirin, Tylenol, rubella, syphilis,
genital herpes, stress, mercury, rodents, or radiation. A teratogen can be a drug,
chemical, disease, or other factor. Prospective parents should take steps to avoid
hazards to fetal development. I learned from Bronfenbrenners ecological model
shows us how what we do influences childrens families. Development is influences
by several environmental factors. How we interact with a child can have a negative
or positive effect on the other influences in a childs life. Sociocultural influences

effect young children. Our relationships helps a child develop ties to other systems.
Through interactions with children we have a direct impact on a childs development
and an indirect impact on the family. How we interact with the child in their
development will have effects on the family structure and the cultural structures of
the family play a part in the child care setting. Lifes biological beginnings focus on
evolution, genetic foundations, challenges and choices regarding reproduction, and
the interactions of heredity and the environment.