Final answer:
Heritability indicates the proportion of trait variation within a population that is due to genetic differences. It is an important concept in genetics, revealing the influence of genes on polygenic traits, also considering the environment's role.
Step-by-step explanation:
Heritability is a concept in genetics used to describe the proportion of variation in a trait within a population that is due to genetic differences among individuals. Answering the student's question, the correct option is b. It indicates the proportion of genetic influence on traits. This measure helps to understand how much of the phenotype variance can be attributed to genotype variance. This understanding is crucial because it illustrates the susceptibility of a population's phenotypic variation to evolutionary forces.
Most human traits, including intelligence and personality, are polygenic, meaning they are influenced by multiple genes, and are often also shaped by environmental factors. Studies, such as the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart, have highlighted the significant influence that genetics have on various traits; yet, these traits are not solely determined by genetics, as environmental factors and epigenetic mechanisms can also have a profound impact.
The interplay between genetics and environment underscores a nuanced approach to understanding human traits, where both biology and environment, as well as their interactions, are integral in shaping our characteristics and behaviors. Additionally, genetic environmental correlation shows that genes can influence the environment we are exposed to and vice versa, which further supports the child's genetic potential.