Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

The length of a baby at birth is determined by what factor?

1. Related to his/her genotype.

2. Predictive of his/her height as an adult.

3. Related to his/her phenotype.

4. Determined by the size of the mother's uterus.

The correct answer is: Determined by the size of the mother's uterus.

The length of a baby at birth is indeed influenced by several factors, and while the size of the mother’s uterus can play a role in accommodating the developing fetus, the primary factor determining a baby’s length at birth is related more significantly to genetic and environmental influences rather than the physical dimensions of the uterus. The genotype, which includes the genetic endowment inherited from parents, has a significant impact on various physical traits, including height. Similarly, phenotype refers to the observable characteristics resulting from the interaction of genotype with the environment. Both genotype and phenotype highlight that individual growth patterns and tendencies align closely with inherited genetic factors rather than solely on uterine size. In light of these considerations, the selection regarding the mother's uterus being the determining factor does not encompass the complexity of growth patterns and biological factors that are at play during fetal development. Thus, the option correctly portraying the interplay of genetics, as well as environmental and physiological influences, would be more reflective of the factors determining a baby's length at birth.