Factors Affecting Human Development

Factors affecting development

Factors that can affect human development may include genetic and environmental factors. Both factors are described as being between nurture (genetics), and nature (everything else.) Certain aspects of human development are not caused by both factors alone, but by combination between both factors. On the other hand, there are aspects of growth and development that are mainly influenced by one or the other of the factors.

Genetic factors

A chromosome is like a thread-like structure which is made up of DNA and protein, located in the nucleus of cells. A DNA is a long molecule which consists of two chains twisted into a double helix. Different parts of the DNA molecule are known as genes. Genes withholds information that functions growth and development of the human body. The usual number chromosome located in the human body is 46, which is prepared in 23 pairs. Every human body has an estimation of 25 000 genes. The whole set of genes is known as a genotype.

The growth and development of the human body is influenced by the genes, because they code for certain characteristics. In the duration of conception, the unborn child may inherit a set of 46 chromosomes (23 pairs each) from both its parents. The father releases a sperm which fertilises an ovum from the mother. The sperm cell and the ovum contain 23 chromosomes each. When both sets of 23 pairs of chromosome is combined is then became 46 chromosomes.

Why are humans similar?

Most of genetic material is considered to be similar. This is because almost all humans have bodies that are developed in the same patterns, such as the same bones, muscles, nerves etc. Humans have similar genetic material due to evolutionary pressures. Genes that produced strong features gave humans increased chances of surviving to breed were passed to the next offspring. However, those genes produce features less well to adapt to the environment disappeared with humans who died before breeding....