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Related Concept Videos

Polygenic Traits01:18

Polygenic Traits

When more than one gene is responsible for a given phenotype, the trait is considered polygenic. Human height is a polygenic trait. Studies have uncovered hundreds of loci that influence height, and there are believed to be many more. Due to the high number of genes involved, as well as environmental and nutritional factors, height varies significantly within a given population. The distribution of height forms a bell-shaped curve, with relatively few individuals in the population at the...
Polygenic Traits01:18

Polygenic Traits

When more than one gene is responsible for a given phenotype, the trait is considered polygenic. Human height is a polygenic trait. Studies have uncovered hundreds of loci that influence height, and there are believed to be many more. Due to the high number of genes involved, as well as environmental and nutritional factors, height varies significantly within a given population. The distribution of height forms a bell-shaped curve, with relatively few individuals in the population at the...
Nature and Nurture01:10

Nature and Nurture

Many human characteristics, like height, are shaped by both nature—in other words, by our genes—and by nurture, or our environment. For example, chronic stress during childhood inhibits the production of growth hormones and consequently reduces bone growth and height. Scientists estimate that 70-90% of variation in height is due to genetic differences among individuals, and 10-30% of variation in height is due to differences in the environments that individuals experience, such as differences...
Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Heritability01:06

Heritability

Heritability is a statistical concept that measures the degree to which genetic differences among individuals contribute to trait variations within a population. It is a fundamental idea in genetics, often prone to misinterpretation. Heritability is expressed as a percentage, reflecting the proportion of variation in a specific trait across a population that can be linked to genetic differences. However, it's important to understand that heritability does not determine how "genetic" a trait is,...
Gene-Environment Interactions01:20

Gene-Environment Interactions

Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

An Allele-specific Gene Expression Assay to Test the Functional Basis of Genetic Associations
10:17

An Allele-specific Gene Expression Assay to Test the Functional Basis of Genetic Associations

Published on: November 3, 2010

Genetics of human height.

Brian P McEvoy1, Peter M Visscher

  • 1Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Royal Brisbane Hospital Post Office, Brisbane, Queensland 4029, Australia. brian.mcevoy@qimr.edu.au

Economics and Human Biology
|October 13, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Genetic factors significantly influence human height, accounting for 80% of variation. Ongoing research using advanced genomic technology aims to identify more DNA variants controlling height and its associated health and evolutionary implications.

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Area of Science:

  • Human Genetics
  • Anthropometry
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Human height is a complex trait influenced by both genetics and environment.
  • It serves as a model for understanding inheritance and has implications for disease risk and socio-economic outcomes.
  • Approximately 80% of height variation is attributed to genetic factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively search the human genome for DNA variants associated with height.
  • To understand the biological basis of height variation.
  • To explore the links between height genes, disease risk, and human evolution.

Main Methods:

  • Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) utilizing recent technological advancements.
  • Analysis of DNA variants across the human genome.
  • Statistical and theoretical approaches to identify genetic contributors to height.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 50 genes and genomic regions have been associated with height to date.
  • Current findings explain some of the biological basis of height and its disease links.
  • Identified genes have small individual effects, suggesting many more remain undiscovered.

Conclusions:

  • Significant progress has been made in identifying height-associated genes.
  • Hundreds or thousands of additional genes with smaller effects are likely involved.
  • Overcoming theoretical, technological, and statistical challenges is crucial for a complete understanding of height genetics.