Question

Review the regression plot below, which estimates the heritability of offspring phenotype on the average phenotype of the parents. Image A represents intelligence, and Image B represents height. Determine which student(s) is/are correct, if any, and explain your answer.

• Student 1 believe's that image A illustrates that intelligenceis highly heritable, based on the h2 value.

• Student 2 believe's that image A illustrates that intelligenceis not highly heritable, based on the h2 value.

• Student 3 believe's that image B illustrates that heightis highly heritable, based on the h2 value.

• Student 4 believe's that image B illustrates that heightis not highly heritable, based on the h2 value.

h = 0.2 h = 0.8 y = 0.2x y = 0.8x 3 Offspring phenotypic value Offspring phenotypic value 3 Midparent phenotypic value Midparent phenotypic value

Answer 1

The objective of regression analysis is to predict the nature of dependent variable based on independent variable. In Liniear regression, the slop indicates the steepness of line.

Student 2 interprets that the intellegence is not highly heritable based on the h2 value. This prediction is correct as the slop is not sharp and near the indepengent variable (X-axis).

Student 3 interprets that the hight is highly heritable based on the h2 value and also predicts the correct option. In this case the the slop of linear regression is sharp with a certain h2 value i.e the dependent variable (Y-axis) is altered with independent variable (X-axis).