Diversity within the Human Species - Assignment Example

Biological and Genetic Diversity al Affiliation Biological and Genetic Diversity The world contains a diversity of animal and plant species with different biological and genetic characteristics that distinguish them from one another (Hocking, 2009). Therefore, organisms from different species behave differently, interact and contribute to the surrounding world differently, and they have different needs. Genetic and biological diversities have also been evident within the same species of organisms (Hocking, 2009).

This discussion will consider biological and genetic diversity within the human species and how they govern the development of cognitive abilities such as memory. Human beings behave or look different from one another because they possess different genetic and biological traits. People inherit a unique combination of genes from their parents. Genes determine people’s physical, biological, and psychological characteristics, which vary from one person to another (Hocking, 2009). For instance, the facial appearance, height, and color of eyes, hair, and skin vary between human beings.

Human beings pass the genetic factors from one generation to another in varying degrees. Genetic and biological factors have a significant influence on cognitive development in human beings. Children inherit the mental abilities of their parents just like they inherit physical traits such as height, eye color, and facial appearance (Hocking, 2009). Intelligent parents have a high likelihood of giving rise to intelligent children and Vice Versa. A person may possess a strong memory because his or her parents have the genetic trait of strong memory.

Hocking (2009) defines memory as the ability of human beings to store the acquired information in their brains and retrieve it in the future. Memory depends on the number of neurons in the brain that aid in the storage and retrieval of the acquired information. The memory of human beings continues to improve as they develop from childhood to adulthood and it declines when a person approaches old age (Solso, Maclin, & Maclin, 2008). Old people have poor memory because many neurons that store information in the brain disintegrate.

Environmental factors such as brain damage due to accident may influence the memory of a person in a negative manner. Brain damage hinders the growth of new neurons, which may result in weak and distorted memory (Solso, Maclin, & Maclin, 2008).ReferencesHocking, B. A. (2009). The nexus of law and biology: new ethical challenges. Farnham, England: Ashgate Pub.Solso, R.L., Maclin, O.H., & Maclin, M.K. (2008). Cognitive psychology (8th ed). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.