The Influence of Environmental Factors

Essential knowledge 4.C.2: Environmental factors influence theexpression of the genotype in an organism.

Table A: Random Sampling of Heights and Weights of Adult Male Individuals in Malawi, Africa

Individual / Height (Feet and Inches) / Weight (Lbs)
1 / 5’ 5 in / 120
2 / 5’ 2 in / 135
3 / 5’ 6 in / 130
4 / 5’ 5 in / 128
5 / 5’ 4 in / 140
6 / 5’ 4.5 in / 143
7 / 5’ 6 in / 132
8 / 5’ 5 in / 123
9 / 5’ 4 in / 122
10 / 5’ 2 in / 138

Table B: Random Sampling of Heights and Weights of Adult Male Individuals in Norway

Individual / Height (Feet and Inches) / Weight (Lbs)
1 / 6’ 0 in / 180
2 / 5’ 10 in / 175
3 / 5’ 11 in / 178
4 / 6’ 1 in / 182
5 / 6’ 2 in / 190
6 / 6’ 3 in / 195
7 / 6’ 0 in / 185
8 / 6’ 0 in / 183
9 / 5’9 in / 175
10 / 5’ 10 in / 177

Table C: Random Sampling of Heights and Weights of Adult Male Individuals in China

Individual / Height (Feet and Inches) / Weight (Lbs)
1 / 5’ 7 in / 152
2 / 5’ 8 in / 155
3 / 5’ 9.5 in / 158
4 / 5’ 7 in / 155
5 / 5’ 6 in / 156
6 / 5’6 in / 160
7 / 5’5 in / 158
8 / 5’7 in / 159
9 / 5’8 in / 157
10 / 5’ 10 in / 163

Part One: For each country, calculate the average height and average weight. Then, calculate the standard deviation for each country’s average height and average weight. Do your work on a separate sheet of paper (do not use a graphing calculator to perform this task). Record your data below.

Malawi / Average Height / SD of Height / Average Weight / SD of Weight
Norway / Average Height / SD of Height / Average Weight / SD of Weight
China / Average Height / SD of Height / Average Weight / SD of Weight

Part Two: Correlation Analysis: For the Country of Norway (Table B), plot the height and weight data for each male individual. Is there a positive or negative correlation with height and weight? Explain.

Part Three: Analysis of Data: Answer the questions below using complete sentences.

1) What country, on average, has the tallest males? What country, on average, has the heaviest males?

2) Define genotype and phenotype.

3) How does your genotype code for your phenotype?

4) How do the environmental conditions differ amongst these three countries (outside internet research is allowed)?

5) Based upon the data above, do you believe that environmental conditions are influencing the genotype amongst the male individuals in these countries?

6) Predict what would happen to male heights and weights of Norway if it was struck by famine.

General Information that May Help in this Exercise

Standard Deviation Formula:

Malawi profile: Food security is a key issue for Malawi where 60% of peoplelive below the poverty line

  • Full name: The Republic of Malawi
  • Population: 15.9 million (UN, 2012)
  • Capital: Lilongwe
  • Area: 118,484 sq km (45,747 sq miles)
  • Major languages: English, Chichewa (both official)
  • Major religions: Christianity, Islam
  • Life expectancy: 55 years (men), 55 years (women) (UN)
  • Monetary unit: 1 Malawi kwacha (MK) = 100 tambala
  • Main exports: Tobacco, tea, sugar, cotton
  • GNI per capita: US $360 (World Bank, 2011)

Norway profile Natural gas is a major source of Norway's wealth

  • Full name: Kingdom of Norway
  • Population: 5 million (UN, 2012)
  • Capital: Oslo
  • Area: 323,759 sq km (125,004 sq miles)
  • Major language: Norwegian
  • Major religion: Christianity
  • Life expectancy: 79 years (men), 83 years (women) (UN)
  • Monetary unit: 1 Norwegian krone = 100 ore
  • Main exports: Fuels and fuel products, machinery, metal products
  • GNI per capita: US $88,870 (World Bank, 2011)

China profile A symbol of strength, the dragon appears in many folk traditions and was once the emperor's emblem

  • Full name: People's Republic of China
  • Population: 1.35 billion (UN, 2012)
  • Capital: Beijing
  • Largest city: Shanghai
  • Area: 9.6 million sq km (3.7 million sq miles)
  • Major language: Mandarin Chinese
  • Major religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Taoism
  • Life expectancy: 72 years (men), 76 years (women) (UN)
  • Monetary unit: 1 Renminbi (yuan) (Y) = 10 jiao = 100 fen;
  • Main exports: Manufactured goods, including textiles, garments, electronics, arms
  • GNI per capita:US $4,940 (World Bank, 2011)