A genetics researcher determines that the broad-sense heritability of height amo

Question

A genetics researcher determines that the broad-sense heritability of height among Virginia Tech undergraduate students is 0.90. Which of the following conclusions would be reasonable?

Because Sally is a Hokie, 10% of her height is determined by nongenetic factors.

Ninety percent of variation in height among all undergraduate students in the United States is due to genetic differences.

Ninety percent of the height of Hokies is determined by genes.

Ten percent of the variation in height among Hokies is determined by variation in nongenetic factors.

Because the heritability of height among Hokies is so high, any change in the students' environment will have minimal effect on their height.

Explanation / Answer

Answer : Ten percent of the variation in height among Hokies is determined by variation in nongenetic factors.

Explanation : The heritability is the proportion of total phenotypic variance which is only possible due to genetic variance among the population or organisms, and applies only to the particular population. Thus, from the statement, the only reasonable conclusion is : Ten percent of the variation in height among Hokies is determined by variation in nongenetic factors.

The other statements are not justified:

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