Why does human height have such a wide variety of phenotypes?

Question

I specifically need to know whether or not genes control height, and if so which ones and how many?

Answer 1

Height is genetically controlled, probably by mutiple genes. But height is also affected by the environment, particularly nutrition.

If you can figure out which genes control human height there's a number of biotech companies and more than a few NBA teams that would like to give you some money.

Answer 2

Height is something geneticists call a "quantitative trait". That means that height can be affected by so many factors and so many genes that you end up with a ton of phenotypes. For instance, genes affecting bone growth and muscle development both would play fairly major roles in determining someone's height. But, since nutrition also plays a major role in bone growth etc, genes affecting the body's metabolism also will play a role, so you also have literally thousands of enzymatic reactions each of which may have a miniscule effect, but together can make a big difference.

The bottom line is that genes absolutely control height, but some more than others, and depending on the genotype of the person for the major traits, the other genes can play a bigger or smaller role in determining height.

Answer 3

Genetic control of height appears to be fairly complicated. There are a variety of genes that regulate the amount of growth hormone that is released into the blood, but the main player is the 'human growth hormone gene' (hGH). But there are also stands of DNA that do not contain genes, but apparently switch the hGH gene on and off - these strands are called satellite DNA. Satellite DNA is extremely variable from person to person, so it is believed that much phenotypic diversity in many traits, including height, is affected by satellite DNA regulating the gene. Satellite DNA is so unique among individuals, that this is the material used for genetic fingerprinting - not the genes themselves.

This link has an article on the topic:

Answer 4

I agree with what has been said but I will also add that height is dependent on growth hormones. While genes determine how much hormone levels exist, there are other factors that effect hormone levels in the body (genetic and introduced through environment, drugs, hormone therapy etc). When these factors are introduced during early stages of human development they have an overall effect on a child's height.

P.S. I think you're cute.

Answer 5

controlled by many genes

Answer 6

wow, do your own homework. one question, no big deal. 2, doesnt matter. 3 is pushing it. 10 is too many.