H EREDITY VS. E NVIRONMENT

H EREDITY Chromosomes-humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 total) in every cell of their body. The male’s sperm contains 23 chromosomes. The female’s egg contains 23 chromosomes. When the egg and sperm unite the cell get a total of 46 chromosomes. Gene-basic unit of heredity. Genes carry all the characteristics that will be transferred. Some are dominate (more influential) and some are recessive (less influential).

Intellectual Ability-your intellectual potential is inherited, though your environment and your response to your environment affect it greatly. Longevity-you may inherit long life spans from relatives. Environment still plays a large role in determining longevity. Physical Characteristics-most of your physical characteristics are based on heredity.

Dominant Curly or wavy hair Black or brown hair Long, full eyelashes Brown eyes Full lips Free earlobes Dimples Chin cleft High, narrow nose Freckles

Recessive Straight hair Blonde or red hair Short, thin eyelashes Blue eyes Thin lips Fixed earlobes No dimples Smooth chin Low, broad nose No freckles

Diseases and defects-Some diseases and defects are hereditary such as some types of cancer, heart disease, and mental illnesses.

E NVIRONMENT Environment-the things that surround you. Your family-provides the single most important environmental influence on a child’s personality development. Sibling Rivalry-competition with brothers and sisters. Loving family members provide a source of emotional support to one another throughout life.

Culture-the total social environment of a people or group. Each family learns its customary beliefs and modes of behavior from its country of origin. Everyday interactions reflect cultural practices (family meals, births, weddings.) How do cultural influences affect our behavior? Would some people start smoking if they lived in a culture in which this practice was considered unglamorous and self-destructive? Would some people resort to violence if they had seen less of it on television and movies? Would Americans value freedom and individual initiative so highly if the nation had not been founded on these principles? We are responsible for working to make a better culture for future generations and ourselves.

Peer Group-people about your own age. Your peer group is one of the strongest forces in your life. Peers can be a source of strength and reinforcement. This influence is natural and even essential in the development of healthy adolescents. As an adolescent, you are searching for an identify and social acceptance. You are particularly vulnerable to peer pressure. Loyalties between your friends and you may be tested if they have standards that are unlike yours. Some teens may feel “emotionally abandoned” by busy or absent parents. These young adults are often attracted to peers who are similarly free of strong family ties.

Technology One of the biggest changes in our society has been the shift from an industrial society to an information society. Technology is found everywhere around us. Sometimes this technology can compete with other activities such as family responsibilities, physical exercise, and social events. It can also bring family closer together because they can keep in touch easier. Media-television, movies, magazines, newspapers, music, and the Internet are only a few examples of media. Media can be an important source of both information and entertainment. You have a responsibility to protect yourself from the desensitizing effects of viewing too much violence or other unwholesome programming.

Personal Response Patterns Anger Anger is a normal human reaction to a stressful situation. Anger can be used constructively when it is directed against the forces that have caused a problem. Fear Fear is a discomfort that may range from a mild feeling of being unsafe to an intense anxiety about loosing your life. You can carry the fears from you childhood to your adult life. Fear can give added strength in dangerous situations. Depression Many teens have occasional feelings of inferiority. Depression is a whole body illness involving the body, mood and thoughts. It can affect behavior, physical development and appearance.

Attitudes An attitude is a feeling of mental position about something. Your attitudes are formed by your experiences or by others’ attitudes that you may adopt as your own. Prejudices Prejudices are attitudes based on false or insufficient information. People who have strong prejudices are called bigots. Fear, guilt, frustration, or feelings of inferiority are the basis for some prejudices. Stereotypes Widely held beliefs that all members of a group share the same characteristics. Some common stereotypes involve age, gender, race, and socio-economic status. Gender or sex-role stereotyping is frequently heard.

Personal Health Health problems can be passed down through genes, but also can be environmental. If you have a history of health problems you should take extra caution to prevent them. Various birth defects can be inherited. Cystic Fibrosis Diabetes Down syndrome Sickle-cell anemia

Blood Factors A person’s blood type is determined by genes. Rh Factor-specific blood element. When a Rh-negative mother is carrying a baby who is Rh- positive the mothers antibodies can attack the blood of the infant. A vaccine can be given to the mother to prevent the antibodies from attacking the infant. How can peer pressure affect personal health?