Traits are characteristics each person has that make up everything about him. These can include physical characteristics such as appearance, as well as psychological characteristics, like a tendency to be creative or optimistic. Some traits,...
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) defines obesity as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above. The "Journal of the American Medical Association" (JAMA) published a study in its January 20, 2010, issue stating that the rate of obesity in America...
Hamartoma syndrome is a category of genetic disorders that results from a genetic mutation of the PTEN gene. This condition, also referred to as a PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (PHTS), is a rare condition in which "hamartoma" describes benign...
Medical experts believe alcoholism stems from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. A strong genetic contribution to alcoholism shows in the three- to four-fold higher risk for alcoholism among first-degree relatives of an alcoholic...
Inherited traits from parents aren't just passed out in random fashion. Inherited traits are passed through the genes of parents to their children. Some traits are passed on only through the mother or only through the father. Others are passed on...
The skin is a complex organ made up of a number of tissue types, which work together to maintain the integrity of the skin and form a barrier between the environment and the rest of the body. Skin contains thousands of follicles, which contain...
Color vision deficiency, or color blindness, is an incurable condition in which the affected person cannot distinguish one or more colors from one another. This deficiency is more common than you might believe: It affects 8 percent of boys and 0.5...
One of the most exciting aspects of having a child is to find out what traits she has inherited from her parents. Some traits are beneficial, while others may be harmful. The March of Dimes explains that inherited traits may be altered through...
Genes are the portion of DNA that determine traits such as eye color or height. Genetic disorders may run in families. A child may inherit a specific eye disease such as Stargardt's disease or a complex developmental disorder such as Turner's...
Congenital heart disease refers to problems in the structure and function of the heart because of abnormal heart development before birth. The U.S. National Library of Medicine notes that congenital heart disease is the most common type of birth...
You may invoke your legal right to a paternity test in several situations. You may be a mother seeking child support from your child's biological father, a father who wants assurance that a child you're being asked to support is your biological...
The human life cycle is approximately 75.3 years, according to Tulane University. It is dependent on genetics, culture, environment, social relationships, adaptation to stress, and ability and desire to sustain human existence. The human life...
Conception occurs when two sexual reproduction cells--the spermatozoa and the ovum--meet to form a brand new cell. This cell divides, and divides again. The division continues until a cluster of cells is formed. This biological process is the...
